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

I welcome the Ceann Comhairle back. I thank everybody in the House for this debate. In his opening statement, the Minister, Deputy Harris, mentioned that one of the areas in which real progress has been made is the sourcing of science advice. This is one of many areas where progress has been made in the research and innovation field.

Deputy Naughten showed a particular interest in this topic at last year's debate and we are pleased to report the Department received more than 40 submissions to the recent public consultation on science advice from stakeholders ranging from Departments and bodies to private individuals and representative bodies. This shows the wide interest in this topic and we thank the participants for the time they spent preparing their submissions. Respondents were invited to say how they see science advice fitting into the overall policy process, including the broad reform agenda. This might be through the generation of evidence for policy and by strengthening policy development and foresight in the public service. We have asked people to share experiences where they feel advice has been effectively sourced and applied and experiences where it could have been better applied. Climate action and the response to the Covid-19 pandemic were cited multiple times as examples of advice effectively sourced and applied.

People were also asked how existing sources of expertise could be mobilised. The consultation invited reflections on the individual skills and competencies of science advisers, scientists and government officials. It sought views on how to include citizen involvement in any science advisory structure. While we do not want to pre-empt the outcome of the consultation, the need for independence, transparency and effective communication in any science advice structure was highlighted by those who made submissions. There was a strong desire for citizen engagement and involvement at all stages of the science advice process. Our Department is studying the detailed submissions received and will draw out the themes expressed to inform our deliberations. This will be an important input into the proposal we will frame and bring to Government.

On the PhD stipend review, we know many Deputies have had an interest in how we should support PhD students. To this end we recently announced a review of State supports for PhD students, met with various groups on the topic of such supports and listened to their concerns. We want to support these students and retain their talent within this country. This will help achieve our national ambition and grow our research and innovation ecosystem. That is why we announced the review, the purpose of which is to generate an evidence base and recommend key principles which will contribute to national guidelines for supports for PhD candidates. We will make sure the review includes engagement with PhD candidates, host institutions, research funders, employers and relevant Departments.

We have much work to do together to ensure science is at the heart of Government decisions and that people understand the impact of science on their lives. That will require more conversations on the floor of this House, more teaching at our schools and more science becoming part of our communities.

We encourage everyone to play their part in Science Week. There is loads happening around the country. Please get involved and get your children involved.

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