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RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
US brain drain 'great opportunity for Ireland'
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless has said "the flipside" of a possible brain drain from the US is "a great opportunity for Ireland". Mr Lawless will bring a memo to the Cabinet to create a "Global Talent Initiative" aimed at attracting top research talent to Ireland. It is reported that "talent attachés" will be deployed to find experts abroad in four priority areas: renewable energy; medical technology and life sciences; cyber threats and flooding; and food security. Mr Lawless plans to create competitive packages to entice researchers to Ireland that combine research funding and start-up support. The hope is that this will increase the number of high-impact projects, generate new knowledge and patents, and create a world-class training base. Speaking on his way into Cabinet, Mr Lawless outlined plans to attract people with certain skillsets to move here. He said part of building an economy is focusing on research and talent as he outlined plans to incentivise talented researchers, academics and innovators "to make Ireland their base". He is seeking Government approval for a package that will attract skilled people from abroad. "There are many areas that we can benefit from world class knowledge," he said. Yesterday, Mr Lawless told an Irish Universities Association (IUA) seminar that Ireland could benefit by offering a stable, open environment where world-class researchers can thrive, just as the US had done after World War II. Mr Lawless told the IUA seminar that with US faculties now having pledged funding revoked and institutes facing shutdown this had "undoubtedly" changed how people view the US when it comes to research. "It has become a cold place for free thinkers and talented researchers," the minister said. Last month, The US Department of Education announced in March that it had opened an investigation into 60 colleges and universities for alleged "anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination".
RTÉ News
13-05-2025
- Business
- RTÉ News
Tánaiste to outline US-UK trade deal concerns to Cabinet
The Cabinet meets in Dublin this morning, with Tánaiste Simon Harris expected to express concern that last weeks' outline trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom could formalise tariffs. Mr Harris, who is Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, will tell his colleagues that such an environment would be "far from the optimum outcome" for both the EU and Ireland. Taoiseach Micheál Martin met Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last Thursday in Brussels, the same day that the EU announced its draft countermeasures to proposed US tariffs - should trade talks fail. The hope, in both Dublin and Brussels, is that a trade agreement can be reached, and tariffs avoided. Last week, the US and UK announced an outline trade agreement, and the Tánaiste has discussed the possible implications with Northern Ireland's First Minister, Deputy First Minister and Minister for the Economy. Mr Harris will inform Cabinet today that initial analysis suggests the potential risk to the all-island economy, from differential tariff rates, has been averted for now. However, he will also express concern that the US-UK deal solidifies and formalises tariffs, and that the new reality for trading with the Trump administration would be far from the optimum outcome. The Tánaiste has also been in contact with Trade Commissioner Maroš Sefcovic about the EU's draft countermeasures to try and avoid any unintended consequences for the Irish economy. 'Global Talent Initiative' memo Separately, Minister for Further and Higher Education Minister James Lawless will bring a memo to Cabinet today to create a "Global Talent Initiative" aimed at attracting top research talent back to Ireland. It is reported that "talent attaches" will be deployed to find experts abroad in four priority areas: "renewable energy; medical technology and life sciences; cyber threats and flooding; as well as food security. The Minister plans to create competitive packages to entice researchers back home that combine research funding and start-up support. The hope is that this will increase the number of high-impact projects, generate new knowledge and patents, and create a world-class training base. First Home Scheme extension Minister for Housing James Browne will outline his plans at Cabinet to extend the First Home Scheme for another two years, until June 2027, and invest another €30 million. This Exchequer funding will match commitments by the banks participating in the scheme, which seeks to support first time buyers with buying or building a home. It was established in July 2022 and is managed as a partnership between the State and the pillar bank mortgage lenders AIB, Band of Ireland, and PTSB. To date 15,356 people have registered; 6,774 approvals have been granted to individuals or families and 3,323 drawdowns have been made. Reforms to Ireland's health and social care system Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll-MacNeill will bring two memos to Cabinet on Sláintecare - the strategy to reform Ireland's health and social care system by ensuring equal access to health services for every citizen. The Minister will share the 2024 implementation progress report as well as the 2025 plan. Last year, the cumulative daily trolley count in 2024 fell by 11% on 2023 figures, despite an 8% increase in the number of patients presenting to emergency departments. The Minister will also share with her colleagues an update on the urgent and emergency care situation report for May. It found that despite attendances at emergency departments in hospitals being 2% higher over the May Bank Holiday weekend, there were 21% fewer patients waiting on trolleys compared to the same period in 2024. Leaving Certificate reform Minister for Education Helen McEntee will update the Cabinet this morning on Leaving Certificate Reform, which is due to begin its first phase in September. The teaching unions, the ASTI and TUI, are to ballot their members on the proposed package, with results expected in early June. Minister McEntee will tell Cabinet that the plan would benefit the more than 70,000 students who are about to begin senior cycle, as the changes will reduce the pressure. She believes the reform also recognises a broader range of skills, and ensures that students have the necessary expertise to thrive. Around 26,000 teachers have already taken training and there has been €12 million in funding for science labs. This reform package also includes confirmation of new arrangements for teachers to secure permanent contracts earlier; a reconfiguration of the Croke Park (deal) hours; additional posts of responsibility in schools to support Senior Cycle Redevelopment; and the establishment of working groups on areas such as AI and workload in schools.
Irish Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste to warn Cabinet that US-UK trade deal 'solidifies & formalises tariffs'
The trade agreement struck between the United States and the United Kingdom 'solidifies and formalises tariffs', Cabinet will hear this Tuesday morning. Tánaiste Simon Harris will update ministers on the latest on trade and tariffs following a number of significant developments in recent days. This includes this announcement by the EU last week of possible countermeasures in response to US tariffs in the case that negotiations with US President Donald Trump's administration fail. It comes after the Tánaiste, who is also Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, held a video conference with Northern Ireland's First Minister, Michelle O'Neill, Deputy First Minister, Emma Little-Pengelly and Minister for the Economy, Caoimhe Archibald. It follows the joint announcement last week from President Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer that the two nations had reached a trade deal. However, the 10 per cent tariff on UK goods entering the US will remain. Mr Harris will tell Cabinet that while initial analysis of that deal indicates that the potential risk to the all-island economy from differential tariff rates has been averted for now, he will also outline his belief that the US agreement with the UK 'solidifies and formalises tariffs'. He will say this is 'very different' from the desire of Ireland and the EU to implement a free trade deal that breaks down trade barriers, lowers and, in some instances, abolishes tariffs. The Tánaiste will tell colleagues that the evidence of this deal thus far suggests a new reality that even after any potential trade deal, countries may be operating in a tariff environment with the US, which is 'far from the optimum outcome'. Speaking last Friday, however, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he 'welcomed the fact that the United Kingdom and US were able to agree a deal'. He added: 'We would like to see a similar deal resolved or worked out between the European Union and the United States.' The Tánaiste has been in contact with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in recent days regarding the proposed countermeasures to set out Ireland's position as it seeks to avoid any unintended consequences for the Irish economy. He will engage directly with the Commissioner and fellow trade ministers at the FAC Trade later this week. He will also tell colleagues that Ireland welcomes the 90-day tariff cut that resulted from negotiations between the US and China over the weekend. Elsewhere, Housing Minister James Browne will seek sign-off to extend the First Home Scheme for another two years until June 2027 and add an additional €30 million in funding to the scheme. It is understood that the new additional €30 million in Exchequer funding will match commitments by the banks participating in the shared equity 'bridge the gap' scheme. Since the scheme launched in 2023, 3,323 drawdowns have been used to finance the purchase of a new home. Higher Education Minister James Lawless will seek approval to launch a Global Talent Initiative to 'attract high-calibre research talent to Ireland'. Areas under consideration include renewable energy, food security, digital technologies and AI, semiconductors and quantum, MedTech and healthcare. They will also be recruited to look at "social resistance", which will examine matters like cyberattacks and flood defences. There are already two attaché in the United States attempting to woo researchers to Ireland. However, the Irish Mirror understands there is a plan to "double if not triple" this and to target universities in Europe and elsewhere where researchers may be having second thoughts about moving to the US. The Department of Higher Education will assist universities with salaries and housing supports, with sources pointing out that many Irish universities already have housing on campuses available. It is hoped to attract "as many researchers as possible" to Ireland through the programme. Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill will bring two memos on Sláintecare to Cabinet. This includes the 2024 implementation progress report and 2025 plan. The progress report states there have been "significant reductions" in the cumulative daily trolley count in 2024, with numbers down 11 per cent compared to 2023, despite an 8 per cent increase in the number of patients presenting to Emergency Departments. The Minister will also bring a memo to Government to update on the urgent and emergency care situation report for May. Similar to the Saint Patrick's Day bank holiday, performance improved over the May Bank holiday weekend when compared to the Easter and St. Brigid's bank holiday weekends. Despite attendances at emergency departments in hospitals being 2 per cent higher over the May Bank Holiday weekend, there were 21 per cent fewer patients waiting on trolleys compared to the same period in 2024. Education Minister Helen McEntee, meanwhile, will update Cabinet on Leaving Certificate Reform, which will begin its first phase in September and impact 70,000 students. Sources stated that the changes will 'reduce the pressure on students that comes from final exams while recognising a broader range of skills and ensuring that students have the necessary skills to thrive in a rapidly changing world'. Teaching unions have criticised the changes, saying their members have not received sufficient training ahead of their introduction. Ms McEntee will argue at Cabinet that 'significant supports' have been provided, including the sample papers, training for 26,000 teachers, and funding of €12 million for science labs.
Irish Independent
13-05-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Government offering to pay higher salaries to attract leading academics fleeing Donald Trump's education threats
The initiative aims to take advantage of the 'brain drain' from the US where Donald Trump's regime is threatening dozens of colleges and universities. Higher Education Minister James Lawless will today seek cabinet approval for a 'Global Talent Initiative' which aims to pump millions of euro into bringing academics to Ireland. He would deploy a hit squad of academic talent scouts, or 'talent attaches' around the world, with a focus on recruiting in the areas of research and innovation, medical technology, renewables and food technology. The initiative would seek to attract global talent with attractive packages, including pay, with the Government agreeing to contribute up to half of salaries offered by third-level institutions. It comes as Mr Trump strips billions of dollars in research grants from educational institutions. The US government is seeking to dictate what subjects and topics are taught, and to influence hiring decisions. Education Minister Helen McEntee will also tell her cabinet colleagues today that students will face less Leaving Cert stress and pressure from September. Insisting she is delivering meaningful reform, Ms McEntee said more than 70,000 students will benefit from changes to 'reduce the pressure on students that come from final exams'. But the Irish Independent understands the initial moves for the next academic year only involve the provision of sample papers for students' better understanding of what they will be faced with, allied to better supports for teachers and schools. Last month, Ms McEntee invited teacher unions the ASTI and TUI to join intensive engagement regarding what further supports could be provided for schools and teachers in the senior cycle. She is offering new arrangements for teachers to secure permanent contracts earlier; a reconfiguration of the Croke Park Agreement hours for extra flexibility; and additional posts of responsibility in schools. The package also contains confirmation on how the local-bargaining clause of the Public Sector Agreement can be satisfied by post-primary teachers in return for salary increases under the agreement. The unions will now ballot their members on this package with results expected early next month.
