Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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327. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grounds upon which it was decided that the State's chief scientific adviser would no longer hold a separate office, and would instead provide advice to the Government in addition to his role as director of Science Foundation Ireland; and if his Department was consulted as to Ireland's educational and research goals prior to this decision. [15706/15]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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The position of the State’s Chief Scientific Officer was established in 2004 to provide the Government with independent expert advice on issues related to public science policy. In 2012 it was decided by Government to abolish the separate Office of the Chief Scientific Advisor (CSA). The decision was taken in light of a review of the Office as part of the Government’s Public Sector Reform Initiative announced in November 2011 which called for a rationalisation and reduction in number of state bodies. It was further agreed that Professor Mark Ferguson would take on the role of Chief Scientific Advisor in addition to his existing role as Director General of Science Foundation Ireland.

The decision by Government to abolish the separate office of Chief Scientific Advisor was made on foot of a Memorandum to Government in Oct 2012 which was preceded by consultation with all Government Departments as is required.