Legislation aimed at inspiring innovation and stimulating enterprise for high-value jobs and improvements to Irish society
Seán Sherlock, TD, Minister for Research and Innovation has today (Friday) announced the signing into law of the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) Act 2013. The signing of the Act marks the culmination of a process of robust and comprehensive debate over the various stages, initiated in the early part of 2013.
The passage of the legislation highlighted the key role played by science and technology in improving Ireland’s prospects for economic recovery and enhancing societal development. “The broad cross-party support for this important legislation was particularly encouraging,” Minister Sherlock commented.
The main provisions of the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) (Amendment) 2013 Act are to:
• Extend the remit of SFI to enable it to fund applied research, thereby complementing its present remit of funding oriented basic research, and take the outcome of research funded since the establishment of SFI closer to market;
• Harmonise the Foundation’s areas of funding supports with those identified in the National Research Prioritisation Exercise which was approved by the Irish Government in March 2012; and
• Provide SFI with the legal power to fund research projects on an all-Island of Ireland basis.
• Participate, where appropriate, in international collaborative funding schemes with some other countries/research performing organisations located outside of Ireland.
• Further enhance Ireland’s science awareness/outreach activities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at primary and secondary education level as well as enhancing the Irish public awareness of the sciences.
Minister Sherlock said: “The changes provided for in this Act will, amongst other things, be critical in enabling Science Foundation Ireland to deliver further on the Government’s aim to strategically direct our research investment towards areas linked to Ireland’s future economic and societal needs, and to accelerate the delivery of desirable outcomes from this investment.”
In conclusion, Minister Sherlock said “The enactment of this legislation brings our present aspirations closer to fulfilment. Science Foundation Ireland will continue to fund scientific research of excellence – both oriented basic research and applied research – thereby inspiring innovation and stimulating enterprise. This will translate into high-value jobs and further, related improvements to Irish society.”