Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
85. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a science and technology policy fellowship within the civil service to provide opportunities to scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policy-making and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57453/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra92. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he plans to take to improve the interface between the wider research community and Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57452/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 92 together.
My Department’s agencies, the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland, currently have initiatives in place to bring researchers closer to the work of the Oireachtas and to connect elected representatives with the world leading research that is happening in Ireland.
In July 2018 the Irish Research Council launched its Oireachtas Shadowing Scheme. The scheme has seen some of Ireland’s most prominent researchers ‘shadowing’ members of the Oireachtas for the day in Leinster House. The scheme was developed by the Irish Research Council to bridge the divide between policy-making and research and to ensure that elected representatives are supported to tap into publicly funded research.
The Oireachtas Shadowing Scheme pairs an Irish Research Council-funded researcher with a member of the Oireachtas. Typically, the researcher will be matched with a TD or Senator from his or her local constituency or who has expertise in an area of interest. The researcher accompanies the TD or Senator to Leinster House on the agreed date, observes proceedings and shadows their work for the day. The scheme is an excellent opportunity for researchers to deepen their understanding of political engagement and the policy-making system – and for members of the Oireachtas to engage directly with publicly-funded researchers. Members are welcome to do a return visit to the researcher’s institution, if they wish.
It is the intention of the Irish Research Council to revisit its Oireachtas Shadowing Scheme once restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic are fully lifted. The next pairings will expand to include Irish members of the European Parliament.
The SFI Public Service Fellowship, which was launched in 2019, is a pilot initiative which offers researchers a unique opportunity to be temporarily seconded to Government departments, agencies and the Library and Research Service of the Oireachtas, to work on specific projects where they can add value, resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes. The Fellowships awarded will foster innovation within the Public Sector by supporting the development and implementation of data-driven and evidence-based approaches.
A total of 12 Public Service Fellowships were awarded with placements in a number of hosts: Houses of the Oireachtas Library and Research Services (6 Fellows), the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration (1 Fellow), Food Safety Authority of Ireland (2 Fellows), The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (2 Fellows) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (1 Fellow). Of the 12 Fellowships 7 are due to end their placement in 2021. The remaining Fellows will carry out their placements until 2023.
It is clear that the academic research community can provide essential input, expertise and service to bolster the work of colleagues in Government Departments and agencies.
Equally, placements within Government Departments and agencies will expose academic researchers to the mechanics of public service and policy making which will contribute greatly to their career development. The secondment model will also provide an opportunity for further dissemination of knowledge and learnings to a broader academic cohort on return of the Fellow to their academic institution. Thus, the SFI Public Service Fellowship pilot programme will help in increasing the linkages between the research and civil service systems.
There is also Creating our Future, our national conversation on the role research can and should play in addressing opportunities, challenges and hopes for the future. I am grateful to Deputy Naughten for working with the Creating our Future team as Chair of the informal, cross party group on science and technology giving Members of the Oireachtas, and their staff the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and encourage engagement in their communities. As we approach the end of the campaign I am pleased to see that there have been over ten thousand submissions so far, and I look forward to seeing the final tally.
In addition, I recently announced plans to decouple the Chief Science Adviser role from the role of the Director General of Science Foundation Ireland in the medium term. In August, my department initiated informal discussions with stakeholders on science advisory structures. My Department will present a formal consultation document and commence a public consultation on the role of science advice structures to identify the best model for Ireland. The Department will work together with other Departments and also take advice from the European Commission, OECD and other international experts in formulating detailed proposals.
