Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress made on the programme for Government proposal to build on the work done by the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies and the universities in the development of research and teaching of celtic studies; to make Ireland the world centre of excellence for such studies with particular emphasis on research in and the teaching of old, classical and middle Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28676/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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My Department provides significant annual funding to support the development of teaching and research activities in our higher education sector. The purpose and function of funding support in this context is to develop both the teaching and research capability and capacity in the Higher Education System. My Department also provides annual funding to the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies to support its activities. Specifically in relation to research, the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences, which is funded by my Department, funds cutting-edge research in the humanities, social sciences, business and law with the objective of creating new knowledge and expertise beneficial to Ireland's economic, social and cultural development. The Research Council operates a suite of interlinked Research Schemes, including pre and post-doctoral levels and research projects grants. A number of projects in the areas of old, classical and middle Irish are supported by the Research Council.

As part of its current work programme the Research Council has recently commenced a national Foresight exercise to explore the contribution that the arts, humanities and social sciences make to the Irish economy and society. The overall objective of the Foresight exercise is to provide a comprehensive review of the contribution which a thriving humanities and social sciences sector can make to social and economic development; to review the current status, strengths and weaknesses of the arts, humanities and social sciences in Ireland and to chart a course for their future so that they can make the best possible contribution to social and economic development. The exercise will make an objective assessment of the role of the arts, humanities and social sciences in interacting with current research and policy; map past and present research; identify strategic opportunities and the supports necessary for the development of the arts, humanities and social sciences research in Ireland. It is expected that this Foresight exercise will be completed next year.