Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 371: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in implementing the draft framework document issued by the Working Group on Researcher Careers for the Higher Education Research Group in September 2009 in view of the absence of any viable career structure for contract research staff in higher education institutions; if her Department or the Higher Education Authority plan to implement the recommendations for a national researcher career structure in the short term; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18725/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, a working group was established under the auspices of the Higher Education Research Group (HERG) to focus on the development of a career structure for researchers in the higher education sector. The Group included representatives from higher education institutions, research funding agencies and relevant government departments. The Advisory Science Council report "Towards a Framework for Researcher Careers" was a key input to the considerations of the group. The working group has concluded its work and the report was presented to HERG in September 2009.

The report contains a range of recommendations in key areas, including structures, continuing professional development, recognition of skills, and performance appraisal. The report also assigned responsibility for these recommendations to appropriate stakeholders. The report has been referred to the higher education institutions and research funding agencies to be progressed and implemented, where appropriate, having regard to resource constraints.