Minister Lawless announces increased levels of research and innovation activity in Higher Education institutions
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe: 14 Feabhra 2025
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 12 Aibreán 2025
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless today welcomed the publication of the Higher Education Research and Development Survey 2022-23.
This key statistical report shows that expenditure on research and innovation activity in the higher education sector increased by 15% in the two years since the last survey, reaching €854 million in 2022.
Speaking today, Minister Lawless said:
"I am delighted to announce today’s results. It is a reflection of the invaluable work being done by the higher education research community.
“It also underscores our shared ambition, as outlined in our national strategy for research and innovation, Impact 2030, to ensure that Ireland’s collective investment in research and innovation makes as big a difference to as many people as possible.
"Researchers active in the sector stood at 25,360 in 2022, a 10.5% increase on 2020. The proportion of female researchers has steadily increased over the last decade, with Ireland ranking 7th out of 31 OECD countries on this indicator.
"In 2022 direct competitive national funding of research and innovation activity undertaken in the higher education institutions accounted for over half of the total, while indirect funding such as core funding to the institutions, accounted for nearly one fifth."
Minister Lawless added:
"I look forward to continuing to work with all stakeholders to ensure that research and innovation lie at the heart of Ireland’s response to the challenges that we collectively face.”
Notes
The HERD Survey is a national statistical reporting requirement of the European Commission. It is carried out in accordance with the OECD Frascati Manual 2015 which is the internationally recognised methodology for collecting and reporting these statistics.
In 2022, direct competitive national funding of research and innovation activity undertaken in the higher education institutions accounted for 51% of the total; while indirect funding such as core funding to the institutions, was 19%.
16.5% of total funding was awarded by European Union sources, demonstrating the quality and relevance of the work being undertaken by the higher education research community.
The number of researchers active in the higher education sector was 25,360 in 2022. Using the OECD Frascati methodology, this statistically includes research students which, in turn, includes those who are privately funded. In terms of research personnel, that is, including technicians and support staff, in 2022, this totalled 27,007 in 2022, an increase of nearly 9% on 2020.
In terms of fields of science, €214 million was invested in research and innovation in the Natural Sciences, €206 million in Medical and Health Sciences, €200 million in Engineering and Technology, and €164 million in Humanities and Social Sciences.
Impact 2030 is Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy. Its core mission is to ensure that Ireland’s collective (public and private) investment in research and innovation make as big a difference as possible to as many people as possible. It is structured by way of the following five pillars:
1. Maximising the impact of research and innovation on our economy, society and the environment.
2. Impact of research and innovation structures on excellence and outcomes.
3. Innovation driving enterprise success.
4. Talent at the heart of the research and innovation ecosystem.
5. All-island, EU and global connectivity.
The strategy is being implemented by way of three three-year work programmes, the first of which (for the 2022-24 period) period has concluded recently. The second (to end 2027) is currently under development.