8th July 2015
Harnessing science to secure Ireland’s future prosperity
The Minister for Skills, Research and Innovation, Damien English T.D, said that “a vibrant public research system, characterised by excellence and international linkages is vital for Ireland’s future prosperity”. The Minister was speaking at a Consultative Forum in Farmleigh House, Phoenix Park to feed into the development of a new national Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation.
120 representatives of all stakeholders participated, including researchers; Universities; Institutes of Technology; indigenous SMEs; multinational firms; civil society; Government Departments; and State Agencies.
This Forum builds on a written consultation exercise earlier this year when stakeholders were invited to make submissions in response to a consultation paper. Over 80 submissions were received and a number of the key issues to emerge from these submissions were discussed at the Forum, including:
· Supporting the Full Continuum of Research
· Enhancing Collaboration Between Business and Academia
· Evolving the Research Landscape
· Delivering a Vision of Ireland as an Innovation Leader
The Minister said that “We have made great progress to date in building our science base in Ireland, both in academia and in industry. A key goal is to build on that success and continue to target investment at areas of greatest need, impact and relevance. This productive investment plays a key role in our economic growth and societal development so it is therefore crucial that we not only seek to maintain this investment but to see it grow over the lifetime of the strategy”.
The Minister said that the workshop provided a very important opportunity for all key stakeholders to directly contribute to the development of the new strategy.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Press Office, D/Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation ph. 6312200 or press.office@djei.ie
NOTE TO EDITORS
The strategy, which will set out a vision and roadmap for over for the five year period 2016-2020, is due to be completed later this year.
The consultation paper is available here:
Consultation for Successor to Strategy for Science, Technology & Innovation
The strategy is being developed under the auspices of the Inter-Departmental Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation, comprising:
Department of An Taoiseach
Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Chair)
Department of Education and Skills
Department of Finance
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources
Department of Health
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Higher Education Authority
Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government
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