From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris has today welcomed the process to appoint the new Government Science Advisor.
The Government Science Advisor will chair the new National Science Advice Forum, comprising of up to twelve experts drawn from those with internationally recognised scientific expertise in a range of key disciplines.
It will be at an Assistant Secretary level and will be based in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
“This is a really exciting development. This new position will help us address complex policy challenges and provide important advice to Government.
“The person will be based in my department but will be providing advice on a range of issues facing the government and the country such as climate change, pandemic preparedness and related matters.
“A crucial part of the role will be communicating complex topics to a wide audience and an ability to showcase the impact of science in people’s lives.”
The Government Science Advisor will chair the National Science Advice Forum and provide cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary science advice to the government.
The new science advice structures will assist in informing responses to complex and challenging policy issues like climate change, food sustainability, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies and to needs identified by ministers and government departments.
The National Science Advice Forum will have an annual work programme which will be reported to Government. Delivery of the work programme will be evaluated after an initial three-year period.
A public consultation was held in September 2022, and the outcomes from this, along with international models, have been considered formally as the new science advice structures. The new science advice structures will be integrated in the general public policy making process and complement existing government actions.
These new science advice structures will bring Ireland in line with countries in Europe and beyond who have also tailored advisory structures to meet their needs and will maximise Ireland’s participation in international science advice organisations.