Ms Aingeal O?Donoghue:

The detailed criteria are being worked through by the HEA. We had long discussions about whether we would be prescriptive about strands, such that a certain amount would go to STEM, etc., but the considered expert view was it was better to leave this open. My understanding is that the criteria will be all around excellence.

On the second part of the question concerning large and small projects, that has a structure around it because there are three strands of applications. The idea was to ensure we preserved a certain level of funding for the smaller researcher-to-researcher projects. I will check in with my colleagues in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and see what level of information we can give the Senator from the HEA at this stage.