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

I thank the Deputies who have indicated their support for the Bill and all those who contributed to the Second Stage debate today. I thank them for their considered and useful input.

Research, innovation and the skills and talent that are produced through those processes are central to the social and economic development of our country. The agencies, through their work to date, have ensured that we have a breadth of talent across a multitude of areas. It is those talented individuals who are the key to forging new paths of discovery in the areas of opportunity ahead. The establishment of Taighde Éireann provides us with a unique opportunity to look at these successes, build on them and seek out new opportunities to enhance what has been done to date.

To summarise, this is genuinely landmark legislation to take two already impressive research funding bodies and create something that will be greater than the sum of its parts. On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Harris, and the Department, I pay tribute to all who have served and currently serve on the boards of both of these agencies, and the leadership of the people who have brought us this far. They have contributed massively to the public good. I thank them all for their service and assure them that their legacy will be protected and enhanced by the creation of this new agency.

I also thank the teams at SFI and the IRC for their exemplary work to date at both national and international levels. I recognise the high-quality research already achieved through the national funding agencies and their programmes. These achievements are a credit to their commitment, drive and dedication, giving Taighde Eireann the strongest possible foundation on which to build.

There is no doubt that the research and innovation system is pivotal to the country's future and our people's prosperity, as a driver of national economic and social sustainability. The effective performance of the research and innovation system is crucial to the realisation of key economic and social objectives. This Bill will enable the new agency to maximise the contributions of research and innovation to social, economic, cultural and environmental development and sustainability and to maintain and enhance the reputation of Irish research and innovation at home and internationally.

I again thank the members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who undertook a highly useful pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill. Many of the recommendations made were very helpful in finalising the provisions in the Bill. An extensive period of stakeholder consultation has informed the development of the Bill. In 2022, the Creating our Future campaign received 18,000 responses from the public. There were several strong and consistent messages, which have informed all subsequent development, including Impact 2030 and the functions of the new agency. My Department has been in ongoing consultation with Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council and the board of the Higher Education Authority, all of which welcome the establishment of the new agency and are engaging comprehensively and constructively as the work progresses.

Since July 2022, my officials have engaged with the Impact 2030 strategy steering group, comprised of the Departments that account for 95% of public research investment.

This group has provided valuable input into how the new agency will work optimally with the funding agencies of other Departments. Consultation with wider stakeholders is ongoing with particular regard to the research and innovation community. This is being led by the CEO designate of the new agency to seek feedback on the operationalisation of the functions of the new agency and to keep stakeholders informed about progress. Consultations have confirmed that the contributions of both SFI and the IRC are highly valued and respected. This excellent reputation will be carried forward into the new funding agency.

I will reply to some of the issues raised. The issue of funding was raised by a number of Deputies. The recently published Government research and development budget for 2022 to 2023 report found that gross expenditure on research and development stood at about €4.9 billion in 2022, a 77% increase in a decade. Of the €4.9 billion total, business expenditure on research and development accounted for €3.9 billion, about 80% of gross expenditure on research and development. Higher education expenditure on research and development was €808 million. Expenditure on research and development activity performed in the governmental sector stood at €179 million.

Concerning other points raised by Deputies, I agree with the need to act to ensure the development of indigenous research and that our strong national performance is sustained. The new agency is an important tool in achieving that goal. On student accommodation, the Department has a strong programme of work to address deficits. It is a key issue for us. On supports for PhD students and researchers, we will publish our response to the independent report commissioned next month. We assure Deputies there is no diminution of the enterprise mandate in research, as mentioned. Our colleague, the Minister for enterprise, will nominate a member of the board. I assure Deputy Higgins that all kinds of research, including fundamental research, are part of the agency's remit. We assure Deputy Bruton that we considered other agency models in arriving at this proposal. It is intended that enterprise remain an important factor. While only one member is nominated by the Minister for enterprise, this does not mean they will be the only person with an enterprise background on the research board.

Many Deputies referenced apprenticeships. Our apprenticeship action plan aims to deliver an apprenticeship system that is flexible and responsive, providing a strong value proposition for employers and potential apprentices. The plan also seeks to implement an apprenticeship system that will deliver greater balance in the apprentice population, providing a governance and partnership structure which ensures the apprentice voice is embedded in the system and that there are enhanced governance and funding structures, employer supports and clear operational arrangements. We debate that issue regularly and we can see the progress we are making in that regard. Deputy Boyd Barrett is correct that the new agency will need to engage with a wide range of stakeholders. That is envisaged in the Bill. The presence of an enterprise nominee in no way diminishes that.

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