01/03/2012

Ministers Bruton And Sherlock Launch Research Prioritisation Plan

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Mr Richard Bruton, T.D., along with the Minister for Research and Innovation, Mr Sean Sherlock, T.D., today launched the Government’s plan to target the majority of the Government’s core €500million budget that the State spends on scientific research every year on areas with the greatest potential for economic return.

The Report of the Research Prioritisation Steering Group, chaired by Mr Jim O’Hara, former General Manager of Intel Ireland, which recommended 14 specific areas of greatest opportunity, was approved by the Government on 21 February 2012.

Today’s event represents the delivery of a major action due for implementation in Q1 under the Action Plan for Jobs 2012.

The Government also announced the establishment of a Prioritisation Action Group, chaired by Minister Sherlock, which will oversee implementation of the recommendations of the report. Membership of the group, which will report to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs, will include all Government agencies which are responsible for research budgets and their parent Departments. This group will include Science Foundation Ireland, the Higher Education Authority, IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Health Research Board, Teagasc, the Marine Institute, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. This Group will be responsible for identifying actions, timelines and lead actors, consulting with industry players and identifying necessary sources of funding.

(GK)

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