Public Consultation on the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Statement of Strategy 2025-2028

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is preparing its Statement of Strategy 2025-2028, which will outline our high-level goals and objectives in developing Ireland’s tertiary education, training and research system.

Our mission is to: “Develop Ireland’s tertiary education, training and research to support people to reach their full potential and create a prosperous, sustainable and vibrant society, ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.”

Our principles are:

• We help all people grow by providing learning opportunities and unlocking their potential.
• We contribute to Ireland as a whole – supporting the economy, education, wellbeing, and society.
• Our work helps individuals and Ireland become more competitive.
• We support regional development.
• We deliver education based on a vision of our future, as well as addressing today’s needs.

Building on the work of the Department since its establishment in 2020 and reflecting commitments in the new Programme for Government, a number of strategic priorities will inform and guide our work over the next three years. These priorities are:

• Research and Innovation – Support curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge; utilise research and innovation as an economic driver.
• Quality Education – Provide high-quality further and higher education.
• Skills and Apprenticeships – Provide better pathways to reskilling, upskilling, and apprenticeships.
• Access to education supports

We invite stakeholders and members of the public to share your views to help shape the final strategy.

You can find a copy of our 2024-2026 Statement of Strategy here.

To ensure all inputs are considered, please submit your views by email to StatementofStrategy@dfheris.gov.ie by Thursday, 1 May 2025.

Respondents are advised that the department is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014 and the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007-2014 and Data Protection legislation.

Personal, confidential or commercially sensitive information should not be included in your response, and it will be presumed that all information contained therein is releasable under the Freedom of Information Act 2014.