An open letter signed by 1,500 Irish scientists has warned of the funding crisis facing the country's third-level sector and called for the establishment of a government Department of Higher Education and Research, as a means of addressing it.
The scientists, including those currently leading the fight against Covid-19, urge political parties to make the creation of this department a priority in government formation talks.
They say the crisis in Irish research has deepened and risks becoming fatal if not addressed. The scientists also fear the country will pay the price in future emergencies and miss opportunities for innovation if government does not recommit to proper investment and attention for higher education and research urgently.