Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 June 2025
435. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost per annum of the scheme to attract academics from the United States by co-funding their salaries which was announced in May 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33329/25]
View answerOn 13 May, the Government agreed to my proposals to establish a Global Talent Initiative to bring international research talent to Ireland. My Department is working with Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland to design a call, which will be launched this summer.
The programme will have an initial budget of €8m per annum. It is anticipated that this figure will support up to 15 researchers per year. In addition to salary, there will be other significant costs associated with the programme that will also have to be factored in. These would include, for example, the wider research team that would be associated with a particular individual, research equipment, laboratory space, overheads such as administration, infrastructure, work related travel and other ancillary costs. There is potential scope for additional funding to be sought as the programme scales up.
The investment required to attract established researchers as well as rising stars will not only facilitate the projects they are investigating, it will also attract further high-calibre talent and add to the knowledge and skills base within the Irish higher education landscape, adding a significant multiplier effect.
