Role of the Office of Science, Technology and Innovation

Rationale for Investment in Science & Technology

The rationale behind the work of the OSTI is acceptance at national and international levels that research, technological development and innovation (RTDI) is of critical importance to competitiveness, employment and the enhancement of society, and that public investment in RTDI must be a national priority.

The section is responsible for the development, promotion and co-ordination of national science and technology policy and is advised by Forfás in accordance with its statutory remit. In addition, the Chief Science Advisor, who was appointed with effect from 1 September 2004, will provide independent advice to Government on any aspect of Science, Technology and Innovation.

The Office of Science, Technology and Innovation is also responsible for basic research funding allocated to Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and consequential policy issues arising from Ireland’s investments through SFI, and applied research and commercialisation funding expended by Enterprise Ireland.

The OSTI develops and co-ordinates Ireland's input in regard to EU research policies and programmes including measures to further the development of the European Research Area. It also has responsibility for the development of Ireland's policy in international research activities.

OSTI also supports and monitors the integrated awareness programme, Discover Science & Engineering, with the aim of increasing the numbers of students taking science as a career and promoting science literacy generally

For an complete overview of all OSTI activities including national RTI programmes, EU and international programmes, science promotion, north/south co-operation and the Interdepartmental Committee on Science & Technology go to work of the unit

Funding and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007-2013

The Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-13 constitutes one of the principal pillars of the National Development Plan (NDP) and strives towards a vision of Ireland in 2013 which is internationally renowned for the excellence of its research and at the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture. Over the lifetime of the NDP the State will invest €6.1 billion in STI as detailed in the programme areas below. This will bring Ireland into line with R&D performance in leading countries.

• World Class Research STI €3,462 million

• Enterprise STI €1,292 million

• Agri-Food Research €641 million

• Energy Research €149 million

• Marine Research €141 million

• Geo-science €33 million

• Health research €301 million

• Environment Research €93 million

The investment in human capital, physical infrastructure and commercialisation of research outlined above is complemented by investment in initiatives set out in the NDP allocations for Higher Education and the IDA. Taking account of these amounts, the global NDP investment in STI in the NDP amounts to €8.2 billion.

OSTI is the overall co-ordinator for the Research Technological Development and Innovation (RTDI) measure in the NDP Productive Sector Operational Programme and is the overall co-ordinator for the efficiency of the National System of Innovation i.e. the links between Government, Business, 3^rd Level Institutions and the State Agencies.

The work of the Unit covers all aspects of the national system of innovation, and international & R&D programmes including:

• Transforming R&D Activity in Enterprise
• Industry Collaboration with the 3rd Level Sector
• Commercialisation of Publicly Funded Research
• Science Foundation Ireland
• Funding for Public Awareness of Science and Technology
• R&D Tax Credit uptake
• European and International Programmes
• Scheme for Accreditation of Research Organisations (Hosting Agreement)

The Enterprise Development Agencies, Enterprise Ireland, Science Foundation Ireland and Forfás implement these measures on behalf of OSTI, through a range of schemes and programmes.

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