Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am sure the point is not lost on the Minister of State that there are hundreds of Irish researchers actively working overseas, particularly in the UK, who, if they were funded properly in this country, would move back. That is a huge resource we are missing here and we are at a loss because of it.

Previously, research funding was allocated through a five-year model. It is now changed to a year-on-year model. I think the Minister of State will agree it is crazy that research funding will only be provided year-on-year rather than over a five-year horizon.

If people are to commit to engaging in research over a significant period, it flies in the face of common sense to try to plan and run research on a 12-month basis. Could the Minister of State reverse the decision to move from the five-year model to a year-on-year system?

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