Irish Research Council welcomes Department’s ambition for research and innovation
Posted: 10 March, 2021
Three-year statement of strategy launched by Minister Simon Harris
The Irish Research Council has today (09.03.2021) welcomed the ambitious goals to grow Ireland’s research and innovation system as set out in the first three-year strategy for the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
The Council particularly welcomed the Department’s ambition to:
- grow Ireland’s international reach and position as a leader in higher education and research;
- attract research talent from around the world;
- support inclusive learning, working and research environments;
- support a highly collaborative research system and its role in in addressing major societal challenges; and
- undertake a national engagement on research and science and develop a renewed national strategy to succeed Innovation 2020.
Council Chair Professor Jane Ohlmeyer said: “We face the future in an era of increasing environmental, technological and social uncertainty, and a strong and healthy research ecosystem helps to equip us with the tools to effectively navigate these uncertainties. Renewed investment in new knowledge, skills and talent across all disciplines and career stages will be critical to positioning Ireland as global leader in research and innovation. The Council welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with Minister Simon Harris and his Department to achieve the goals set out in its first three-year strategy and to contribute to the upcoming research and innovation strategy.”
Director of the Irish Research Council, Peter Brown added, “Researchers across disciplines in Ireland provide important cutting-edge skills, knowledge and intellectual capital that are essential to an innovative economy and society. Facilitating strong ‘connectedness’ between the research community and a diverse range of economic, cultural and societal stakeholders is a key contribution of the Irish Research Council. We look forward as an agency of the Department to supporting the implementation of its first corporate strategy and bringing the benefits of research and innovation to societal challenges and public policy.”
