New top-level group to identify research priorities

A high-level group led by one of Ireland’s top industrialists has begun work on a five-year prioritisation plan for Government investment in research and ‘smart’ jobs, according to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe TD.

The research prioritisation steering group, which will be headed by Intel Ireland’s general manager, Jim O’Hara, will identify up to 20 target areas on which the Government should focus its allocation of public funding for research and development over five years.

Minister O’Keeffe, who appointed the steering group, has asked that work be completed within 12 months with an action plan for each priority area setting out specific goals over five years.

Minister O’Keeffe wants the group to focus on areas that will yield the best return for taxpayers’ investment in research and, ultimately, create high-quality jobs.

Announcing the steering group today [Monday], Minister O’Keeffe said: ‘We want to identify research areas that can deliver the best economic dividend for our people through enterprise development and job creation.

‘This year, the Government is investing €598 million on academic and commercially focused research and development spread across all Government departments and agencies.

‘The steering group has now embarked on a major national exercise of structured stakeholder engagement which will set out where best to focus our work and tailor our investment.

‘I have asked the steering group to overlook vested interests and place the Irish economy and society at the heart of the strategic consideration process.

‘The group will draw on the experience of other countries in drawing up similar plans.’

The steering group draws on national and international expertise in the private and public sectors, as well as senior Government officials.

Minister O’Keeffe asked international experts who have completed similar exercises in other countries to assist the steering group.

The Government’s economic advisory agency, Forfás, will undertake the project under the guidance of the steering group.

The project will take a year to complete and identify between 10 and 20 priority areas following extensive consultation.