Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if he intends to establish a new agency for research funding along the lines of that recently proposed by the Higher Education Authority; if he has made contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment about such an undertaking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9783/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The proposal referred to by the Deputy was contained in the submission of the Higher Education Authority to the OECD review on higher education in Ireland. However, I clarify that the HEA did not propose a new agency, rather the establishment of a dedicated statutory fund called the "Knowledge Ireland" fund. Reflecting the medium to long-term nature of research, the basis of the proposal is that this would provide guaranteed capital and current research funding on a five year rolling basis for research programmes currently managed by a variety of agencies, including the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board and Enterprise Ireland.

As part of its review, the OECD is analysing all of the submissions received from a wide variety of stake-holders. Along with all with an interest in higher education in Ireland, I await its recommendations with interest.

My Department and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment are in very regular contact on a range of policy issues relating to research. This reflects my desire to ensure that research activities in higher education contribute to the wider Government policy for the development of the knowledge society in Ireland.