Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
57. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop the next national research and innovation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.”
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will lead the development of this new national strategy, in consultation with key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders. This new Department has been established with a clear mandate to work with all stakeholders to strengthen Ireland’s R&I ecosystem, drive reform and collaboration, and enhance outcomes which contribute to meeting societal, economic and global challenges.
This new strategy will aim to be transformative in meeting these challenges. It will identify the reforms necessary to develop an R&I system that has the right capacity and capabilities, and which is supported by coherent policies and structures for national coordination, collaboration and governance across the national R&I landscape.
My officials are currently seeking submissions via a public consultation which was launched last month, and will close this Friday 9th July. There is a Consultation Paper on my Department’s website which reflects many of the main issues that have emerged in early consultations with key stakeholders. It also reflects the clear intent at EU level that R&I will help our societies recover from the pandemic and prepare Europe for the challenges of the coming decade and beyond.
Last week, my 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 strategy will build on the lessons of delivering the previous national strategy, Innovation 2020. The overarching vision in Innovation 2020, was for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader driving a strong sustainable economy and a better society. Within this was a focus on excellence, talent and impact. The Mid-term Review of Innovation 2020 found that, while it has been challenging to meet some of the key targets of Innovation 2020 , much progress has been made and the overall vision of becoming a Global Innovation Leader remains valid. While renewed targets will need to be identified and agreed during the development of the next strategy, the Government’s ambition for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader has not diminished.
Consultation is ongoing, but 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.
I intend bringing the strategy to Government for approval later this year.
