Written answers

Tuesday, 9 May 2023

Department of Education and Skills

Education Policy

Photo of Jim O'CallaghanJim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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719. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the principle of academic freedom and parity of esteem can be embedded in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/23]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The General Scheme of the Research and Innovation Bill 2023 forms a key part of Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy. Its main purpose is the formation of a new competitive research and funding agency, through the amalgamation of the functions and activities of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.

The Impact 2030strategy clearly sets out the Government’s ambition for Ireland to a be research and innovation leader. The objectives of that strategy include the promotion and support of excellence in research and innovation across alldisciplines, spanning fundamental research to applied research activity. The strategy also highlights the importance of growing Ireland’s international offering and reputation in the field of excellent research and innovation.

These ambitions and objectives are widely shared. So too, are the values of academic freedom and parity of esteem among research disciplines. That is why the new agency will put all disciplines on an equal statutory footing for the first time. The concept of parity of esteem pervades the legislation, just as academic freedom is a core value of our higher education sector, as set out in section 8(1)(f) and section 120 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022.

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