Science, Technology, and Innovation are vital to Ireland’s economic and social progress. High levels of investment in research and innovation are essential, both for economic competitiveness, and to yield innovations in areas such as healthcare and environmental technologies which make tangible improvements to our way of life.
In June 2006, the Irish Government published a national Strategy for Science, Technology, and Innovation. In broad terms the strategy sets out the plan to grow Irish research capability as a component of the European Union’s drive to become the most competitive and dynamic, knowledge-driven economic area in the world.
This strategy is based on a shared vision of putting Ireland firmly on the global map in terms of the excellence of our research and its application for the benefit of society. The Vision is that “Ireland by 2013 will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research, and will be to the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation-driven culture.”
This includes steps required to develop a world class research system, building on the model of competitive excellence adopted by the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (PRTLI) and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) initiatives. It addresses key human capital investments across the education system and industry and mechanisms to translate knowledge into jobs and growth. Key proposed steps include:
build the research strengths in the IoTs;
significant increase in the numbers of people with advanced qualifications in science and engineering;
build on recent NDP investments to deliver a sustainable, world class research system across the spectrum of humanities, physical and social sciences;
deliver quality by increasing the number of research teams led by internationally competitive principal investigators;
upgrade existing infrastructure and develop new facilities to support research;
enhance postgraduate skills through a graduate schools mechanism;
develop sustainable career paths for researchers;
enhance the mobility of researchers; and
double the number of PhD graduates by 2013.
Section 4.11 of the strategy recognises the potential of the Institutes of Technology to develop into effective technology resources focused on collaboration with local industry on the basis of applied research and technology development. The strategy proposes to build research strengths in the IoTs, support networking, address identified industry needs and the development of competence centres. The objective of Priority one of this Operational Programme, as outlined subsequently, is consistent with the objectives of this Strategy.
Note 14 Government of Ireland (2006) Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-13 http://www.entemp.ie/science/technology/sciencestrategy.htm
