Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On leaving certificate reform, the data captured by the HEA would include the drop-out rate at first year. We are aware there is a large number dropping out at third level. Perhaps it is young people who are not exactly sure about the courses they are taking, and it is about them having the basis to go forward. This data would really inform how we look at further education and training, and at building up the apprenticeship and in-learn sector.

Reference was made to research. I believe that the societal impact of the research we are funding is extremely important. This has come across through the research prioritisation in the past years. Our researchers are doing an excellent job in describing the impact to society of the research they conduct, and even in the way they put together the research now. In the last decade or so there has been a real focus on how one looks at the voice of the user in putting together a research plan. Researchers have really looked at the fact that we are no longer in ivory towers or hidden behind university walls where our research has no impact. Our researchers are first and foremost out there in designing the research to have impact from the very get go. It is crucial and it shows where funding has impact.

I have one or two questions for Mr. Conlon on the HEA. I apologise for earlier as my laptop overheated and literally shut down. Perhaps I could get some research innovation on how to keep these cool. I may put in for the AI, robotics and engineering section.

Mr. Conlon referred to having more resources and widening the remit of the data being gathered. How will the current skill set in the HEA be broadened in that regard? We would love to see the HEA also taking on apprentices. We are looking at public sector organisations being able to take on apprentices and train people up. Will Mr. Conlon note the amount of resources in the HEA for this or can he share that information at the moment?

My other question is for Ms Kenny on the performance framework and the resources we have in our universities. We are aware that universities are always trying to encourage research but it is difficult with such a heavy teaching load, the high student numbers in courses and the course work involved. We are all ways trying to encourage our lecturers to take on more research. In this performance framework is there anything that would point towards how we would support higher education institutions to encourage the lecturers and professors in doing more research and in building those research teams? The technological universities have done a mammoth amount of work for the applications they submitted in order to increase the amount of research performing staff at PhD level and that they are also looking at taking on more research. Ms Kenny may not be able to go into that again but does she have any thoughts on that?