Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 627: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his proposals for reform of the university sector here; if in this context he will clarify the purpose of his request for an analysis of teaching hours by university staff; his views on the importance of research and publication of articles by which university performance can be measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4636/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I announced the launch of a process to develop a new national strategy for higher education last Friday. The process will be overseen by a high level steering group, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt and comprising national and international expertise including academic, business, community and student interests, as well as senior government officials. It is expected that the group will complete its work before the end of the year.

The higher education system is a cornerstone of national infrastructure for generating the skills, knowledge and innovation on which Ireland's future competitive advantage relies. The strategy will be framed in the context of the Government's drive towards sustainable economic renewal and will provide a critical examination of the current environment of Irish higher education and develop a vision and national policy objectives for the next 20 years. This will include an analysis of the current system in terms of its student numbers, funding, funding models, organisational arrangements and the roles of the different public and private entities involved in the higher education and research domain.

The strategy will also take account of research activity, which is now an integral part of our higher education system. Growing research capability is a core component of the European Union's drive under the Lisbon Agenda to become the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-driven economy in the world. The Government's Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (SSTI) is a crucial building block in this effort and is based on a shared vision of placing Ireland firmly on the global map in terms of the excellence of our research.

This is further underpinned in the Government's Framework document for Sustainable Economic Renewal "Building Ireland's Smart Economy" which aims to develop Ireland into the innovation and commercial capital of Europe. The Government has reiterated its commitment to implementing the SSTI despite fiscal pressures and has emphasised "the need for high levels of investment in research and innovation, both for economic competitiveness, and to yield innovations in areas such as ICT, healthcare and environmental technologies, which create employment opportunities, increase economic progress and make tangible improvements to our quality of life."

The number of academic publications and the frequency with which these are cited in future publications are key measures of research activity. Forfás and the HEA are currently undertaking a mapping study of research activity in Ireland which will take stock of activity in basic, strategic, and applied research across all disciplines in both the public and enterprise sectors. As part of the mapping exercise, a bibliometric study will be conducted to quantify the number of publications and citations from Irish research which will provide an overview of research activity and impact.