Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
71. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made on the development of the next national research and innovation strategy including the planned consultation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6375/22]
View answerThe development of a new national strategy for research and innovation (R&I) is a key commitment in the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan 2021, which sets out the “dual ambition of placing research, development and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland’s economic and societal challenges, and building capacity and capability across the research and innovation system to move R&I up the value chain.”
My Department is leading the development of this new national strategy, in consultation with key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders.
It is the intention that the next strategy will set a vision and ambition for Ireland’s R&I system that all relevant actors will identify with and contribute to, with ambitious national strategic goals and objectives out to 2027. Action-led Work Programmes will map out specific deliverables over shorter timescales. This will enable agility and responsiveness over the full period of the strategy and a strong focus on delivery and reform.
A public consultation on the strategy was held in June & July 2021. In total, over 115 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders. In late June, the Department held an online stakeholder event where a wide range of stakeholders from across Ireland’s R&I system came together to discuss the issues raised in the consultation paper and inform the strategy.
The draft strategy is to be presented to Government Departments and Agencies for final consultation on actions and commitments. It is expected to go to Cabinet Committee and Government subsequent to this, with publication in early 2022.
