Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), which receives the largest proportion of Irish research funding from the Government, needs to be reconfigured to ensure its supports basic third-level research more, according to Fianna Fáil spokesman on science James Lawless. Since 2013, SFI had shifted the balance in terms of research in favour of applied research tied into industrial applications, Mr Lawless said. Industrialists and academicsAs a consequence of a dearth of full-time academics, the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Amendment Bill 2018 envisages the appointment of at least three industrialists and three academics to SFI’s 12-person board. Basic research was a critical part of the pipeline; while also ensured Ireland’s intellectual firepower continued to one of “our best assets”. An absence of adequate funding for basic research also risked that “top brains” would go abroad, thereby belying Ireland’s reputation for innovation, he said.

Source: The Irish Times February 11, 2018 20:48 UTC