Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Likewise, I was frustrated that they felt they had to write a letter because I had made it very clear from the start of my job that I was very willing to talk to everybody on this issue as it is something I feel very strongly about. Since we started the consultation on the strategy, we have gone to great lengths to involve everybody in all disciplines and areas. I met some of the authors of the letter directly in July and August when we had a couple of meetings. We had a very strong consultation and workshop day in Farmleigh in July which more than 120 people attended from all backgrounds and disciplines across the higher education system, enterprise and other organisations. They came together and it was clear to me, which was very helpful, that there was a great deal of strong agreement around what we have to achieve in the new strategy. Their concern is about money for basic research in different disciplines and the applied area. When one analyses it, it is not always factually correct to say it has gone the wrong way. The figures do not always back up what they always say. We analysed that and went through it with them in one-on-one meetings and in the workshops and there is now more understanding about where the money is going through SFI and the higher education block grant.

Regardless of the split of money, their major concern is the issue of talent and the pressure on PhD numbers. The Deputy will see when the strategy comes out that we are addressing that to a great extent. We have got the message very clearly on the talent part. It is very important that we have the right continuum of funding across the board and across all disciplines as well. I have met them, they have given me solutions and I have also given them food for thought as to what they need to do at their end. We have had a great deal of consultation on this. If the Deputy engages with them, as I am sure he is doing, he will find that coming back. There is a change in attitude and we all understand what we have to do. The strategy gives us the opportunity to focus our minds and get that message right. It is not always true to say, however, that all the money went to applied research. That is not what happened. If one writes out the figures, one will see that. I have good figures I can give the Deputy as we put together a great deal of information for them in this regard. I will also pass it on to the committee which might help it in that regard.