Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senators for tabling this motion. It is a concern that is shared by all groups, particularly in government, including the Minister of State and the Minister, Deputy Harris.

What is great about our third level system is the flow of knowledge from our universities into society, industry, hospitals and the public sector. This continuous flow makes our universities a thriving ecosystem. From working in a university, the engagement I have seen in recent years is placing universities at the heart of our communities in our cities, towns and villages through the work being done by universities' teaching staff and also by researchers and research groups that engage with communities across the country. No longer are universities these stand-alone places with high walls that keep information locked up inside like the monasteries of old. That perception of universities has changed in recent decades. It is important to note that this vibrant, thriving and open system is one of the key components of success for the third level and for us.

There are many challenges, though. I have been a researcher on a fixed-term contract and a number of other contract types. I have also worked on the administrative side through the research offices of universities, so I have seen the issue from many different angles. There are serious challenges that I would like to see the Government rectify by providing additional funding and reducing our student-lecturer ratios.

When I was in school and going to college way back, there was a forced brain drain out of the country and you learned about emigration, not immigration. Having worked in the research office, I have seen the access that universities have to non-Exchequer funding. I have been fortunate to work as a project manager on the Horizon 2020 programme, which was EU funding. I have had the chance to work on a number of other programmes as well. These types of programme make it possible for third level institutions to hire people outside the employment control framework. That framework will be under review, and it needs to be, as it affects student and staff numbers and the courses we want to deliver at third level, but it is also important to note that access to non-Exchequer funding – EU, US and other international funding – is bringing much to Ireland and allowing universities to employ more people. Some of that funding is awarded for four, five or six years. Many of our researchers are now coming from abroad. It is very international. Nearly 20% of Galway's population is international. Much of that is down to people working in the university as well as in the healthcare system.

I will briefly highlight a few points. I apologise, as I only have eight seconds left. There is a focus on the review of State's supports for PhDs. Non-Exchequer funding is important. I would like the Minister of State to explore the international comparisons with other universities in his response. It is important that we examine contracts not just on the research and teaching sides, but on the administrative side as well. Putting supports in place on the administrative side is crucial. There has been Government engagement with the higher education institutions, HEIs, via staff representatives and stakeholders. I hope that there will be outcomes from that. I also hope that the review will cover PhD supports. A tenet of the research and innovation Bill should relate to the researcher career framework. The Minister of State might comment on this point.