Approximately 850 Researchers To Be Employed By New SFI Research Center Initiative With John Halligan

Minister Heather Humphreys and Minister John Halligan announced an investment of €230 million in six SFI Research Centres as part of Project Ireland 2040. The €230 million investment made by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Science Foundation Ireland, will directly benefit approximately 850 researchers employed by the centres, while also supporting the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland initiative. The investment is buoyed by industry support with 170 industry partners committing to investing over €230 million in cash and in-kind contributions over the next six years.

Commenting on the announcement, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD, said:

“This investment by my Department in the six SFI Research Centres is part of the Government’s strategy to prepare now for tomorrow’s world, through plans like Future Jobs Ireland and Project Ireland 2040. The work that has been done to date has positioned Ireland as a world leader in research, further strengthening our global credibility across a number of different sectors.

The economic impact of this research is clear, not only through direct and in-direct employment levels but also through increased foreign direct investment. Our Research Centres not only act as magnets to attract and retain investment; they also encourage companies, both Irish and foreign-owned, to develop their R&D activities here. This will continue to benefit Ireland and the world for years to come.”

The SFI Research Centres network involves strong collaborative partnerships between research bodies in Ireland, including Trinity College Dublin, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University College Cork, Teagasc, Cork Institute of Technology, University College Dublin, National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT)

NUI Galway, Dublin City University, Tyndall National Institute, Maynooth University, University of Limerick, Technological University Dublin, ESRI, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, Athlone Institute of Technology, Limerick Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo, Institute of Technology Tralee, and Waterford Institute of Technology.

John Halligan TD, Minister of State for Training, Skills, Innovation, Research and Development had this to say regarding the initiative.

Congratulations on the new initiative, how soon will the funding be able to be rolled out?

The first funding from these awards will issue in 2019, and will be paid out on a phased basis over six years to 2025. The funding will directly benefit approximately 850 researchers employed by the centres, while also supporting the Government’s Future Jobs Ireland initiative.

Ireland currently still has a deficit in terms of filling these type of roles, how soon, if it all goes well, do you hope that this program may be able to help to reduce this problem? 

We know that these skills are in demand in industry and investments such as the SFI Research Centres, are part of our plans to provide for the required talent pipeline to future proof our economy.  In addition, we have launched, with Science Foundation Ireland, a postgraduate training programme that will prepare students for key strategic future jobs areas.

We are currently encouraging students everywhere to apply for the exciting PhD programmes available in the new SFI Centres for Research Training, which will provide digital, data and ICT skills to 700 postgraduate students. It is our ambition to equip students with the skills and tools necessary to ensure a bright societal and economic future for Ireland.

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