Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1368. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how he intends the Committees of the Board, known as Councils, as part of the new national research agency referenced in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023, will operate; if they should be mandatory to ensure diversity of expertise and advice in relation to excellence in research and innovation and research priorities, including representing researchers at all career stages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27905/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023 provides that the Board of the new agency may establish committees to assist and advise it in relation to the performance of any of its functions. The Bill proposes that, where committees are established to provide specific research expertise, they should be known as “Councils”, with the policy rationale underpinning this that it will provide the Board with a mechanism to ensure that it continues to have access to a wide range of research advice.

In line with similar legislative provisions elsewhere, it is proposed that the establishment of such committees would be a matter for the Board which needs to have the flexibility and agility to respond to the changing Research and Innovation landscape.

Consultation with wider stakeholders, with particular regard to the research community, is being planned in order to seek feedback on the operationalisation of the functions of the new agency. The structure of such councils will be considered further in this context.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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1369. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to the issue of precarious employment in the university sector, he will be aware that the Employment Control framework managed by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Delivery Plan Development and Reform has been in place since the austerity period, and although reviewed annually as part of the estimates process, hinders long-term planning and contributes to the use of short-term casual contracts, how does he plan to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27906/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy has outlined, the higher education sector currently continues to operate under the terms of an Employment Control Framework (ECF). The system operates on a number-based control approach whereby an annual ceiling for core funded posts is agreed for the sector each year. Only posts within that ceiling can involve permanent contracts. The ceiling of core funded posts has been increased over recent years in line with increases to the annual recurrent funding allocation to the sector.

My Department has committed to reforming the current ECF, recognising the issues with regard to its current structure. Significant work has been undertaken internally to scope a new framework and my Department is currently working with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to scope out options for a revised agreement, framed within the strengthened governance framework as provided for in the HEA Act 2022. There has also been preliminary engagement with the sector and with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) in advance of finalising the comprehensive proposal for DPENDPR approval.