7. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given the value he places on clusters of third level institutions and innovation hubs, if there are clear pathways and supports in place for establishing and expanding such hubs in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56014/25]

Sentiment score: 0.30

I ask the Minister to state, given the value placed on clusters of third level institutions and innovation hubs, whether there are clear pathways and supports in place for establishing and expanding such hubs, especially in the west. I raise that in the context of a very successful urological-surgical innovation hub based at Atlantic Technological University, ATU, in Galway, in collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago.

Sentiment score: 0.82

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach. I was unsure. I thank the Minister. In this model with the University of Illinois Chicago, extending into other areas of medicine is talked about. Urology is the template they have used in ATU. It provides expertise based on research and innovation. It has developed a venture studio model, which draws on the experience of world-class entrepreneurs and scientists that mentor researchers to bring their work to start-up. That is the important link. We have a lot of research going on but it is about bringing that research into the real world and mentoring the people who have done the research so they can bring it to business. That is what we are aiming for. I am assured it has a long track record in this area and because of its reputation, it has the ability to attract major investors. I appreciate the Minister's engagement on this matter. He might make a statement as well on the new supercomputer collaboration with the University of Galway.

Sentiment score: 0.21

I thank the Minister. When speaking to the group of people involved in this project in Galway, one of the points they made was that there are many institutions in the United States which, in the current climate, are looking for bases in the European Union. Ireland has this opportunity. We talk about the threat of tariffs and the difficulties in getting new industry here. We will hold our existing industry, but the concern is that down the road research and development will move away from us. There is an opportunity to reverse this flow and get this expertise from world-class universities in the United States to base their research hubs in Ireland. They have assured me they can base their hub anywhere. I mentioned Ballinasloe, which is in my constituency, but they would be happy to base anywhere. With technology and the use of high-grade computers, they can carry out their research in collaboration with institutions in Ireland.

Sentiment score: 0.26