Written answers

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

Department of Education and Science

Research Funding

9:00 pm

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 1113: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if there is a risk that universities here and researchers will lose their access to on-line scientific and humanities journals as a result of savings by the Higher Education Authority and Science Foundation Ireland; the implications of such a move for Ireland's ambition to play a leading role in the knowledge economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2016/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Research eLibrary (IReL) is an electronic research library, providing online access to research publications across a range of disciplines in the seven universities and provides an important service to students, researchers and academics.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Government has provided significant direct funding in recent years to universities towards the cost of e-journal access, with funding amounting to some €8.5 million provided in 2009 by both the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI).

In the current difficult budgetary climate, there will be challenges for our universities in prioritising and managing budgets to maximum effect. In that regard the HEA is working closely with the institutions to effect economies across all levels of activity. I understand from the HEA, who are in consultation with the universities in the matter, that whilst they envisage that there will be some reduction in the number of e-journals available, they are satisfied that they can ensure continued access for all our university students and staff to the most relevant publications across the science, technology, social sciences and humanities domains.

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