Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
650. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department is upgrading the research sector with a view to maximisation of benefit for Irish students and ultimately the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/24]
View answer653. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the sciences to play a major part in meeting the standards required in the workplace in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9359/24]
View answer656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees research playing a major role in competitiveness in the future; the likelihood of meeting the demand in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9362/24]
View answer657. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to set out the future ambitions of his Department in expanding the role of the sciences in the future; in particular the ability to meet opportunities likely to arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9363/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 650, 653, 656 and 657 together.
The sciences and the broader research sector have a pivotal role to play in securing societal and economic benefits for all. My Department is providing leadership in this regard, in particular through the implementation of Ireland’s research and innovation strategy, Impact 2030 and through our engagement with the Civil Service Research Network. These benefits occur across all sectors, encompassing issues like the workplace of the future that fall within the remit of other Ministers. However, I can give the Deputy an overview of the actions being taken by my Department in pursuit of our national ambition to put science and research at the heart of national development.
My Department is progressing a landmark Research Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of the approximately €300 million of national competitive research funding which is currently being invested in this area; importantly, this represents almost 40% of Government expenditure on Research & Development. The Research and Innovation Bill 2024 completed Dáil Second Stage in January and is scheduled for Committee Stage on 28 February.
The Bill will establish a new funding agency Taighde Éireann or Research Ireland with the capacity to address the issues we as a society are facing, in particular with regard to climate change and the digital transition; and to enable us to better engage and compete at an international level, in terms of the opportunities ahead of us.
A whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, is also being progressed to ensure the national research and innovation system supports key Government strategies such as the White Paper for Enterprise, the Climate Action Plan and Smart Specialisation of regions. A key focus will be on ensuring and communicating the impact of research and innovation at every level - local, regional, national and international. Research and Innovation have long been recognised as being essential to improving productivity and competitiveness. Pillar Three of Impact 2030 in particular sets out how enterprise led Research & Innovation contributes and engages with the national Research &Innovation system.
As part of the Talent Pillar of Impact 2030 a review of National Supports for PhD researchers has been undertaken. Work is continuing with enterprise co-funders on a new internationally prestigious Innovate for Ireland PhD scholarship programme focused on national challenges.
In addition to these core priorities, my Department is actively engaged in the Shared Island initiative and the EU Peaceplus programme for Northern Ireland. Projects underway include all-island research centres managed by SFI, North/South research programmes managed by the HEA, student mobility and education and skills initiatives.
I am also committed to ensuring Ireland maximises participation in relevant international and European education, research and innovation fora including the European Research Area, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the European Universities initiative. I am pleased to confirm that our application to join CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, is progressing. Membership has been long awaited and will be transformative for the research community.
Finally, a new international education and research strategy Global Citizens 2030 has now been launched. The Strategy sets out Ireland’s ambitions to embed excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprint and is the first international strategy to encompass the breadth of tertiary education, and research and innovation systems. It emphasises Shared Island, European and Global Ireland engagements across the spectrum of further education, higher education, skills, research and innovation.
Underpinning all of these initiatives is a major programme of capital investment, focused on meeting the needs of the sector as a whole, including the further development of our Student Accommodation provision, which must also be delivered in such a way as to meet the challenges of Climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
