Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 897: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the steps she has taken and will take to implement the innovation taskforces key recommendation to link a proportion of State funding for the Higher Education Institutes to national metrics on innovation and commercialisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14727/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Report of the Innovation Taskforce was launched in the Science Gallery, Trinity College on 11 March. The Report which provides a roadmap for one of the five Action Areas in the Smart Economy Framework and complements the progress which has already been made on other aspects of the strategy. Specifically, it endorses the Government's vision for Ireland as a Global Innovation Hub and suggests that we have the potential to achieve this goal. The Report has made a wide range of recommendations, some involving new initiatives while others call for a reinforcement and better alignment of existing efforts and programmes.

The Government will shortly announce the establishment of a High Level Implementation Committee to consider and oversee the implementation of the Taskforce's Report. This Committee will reflect the recent changes in Departmental structures and responsibilities which will be supportive in progressing the Taskforce's recommendations. This implementation process will also need to take account of resources and other constraints facing the Government.