National-regional governance of STI

In Ireland, Science, technology and innovation (STI) policy making is primarily governed at the national level. In 2010, the Irish Government established a single funding stream that includes STI budgets of different agencies involved in implementing relevant policies. The aim of this consolidation in spending was to improve governance. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) plays a central role in funding and supporting scientific research and innovation. The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is another key actor in this respect. It coordinates the National Research & Innovation Strategy 2021-27, which sets out the strategic goals and how to achieve them. While the overall policy approach is shaped by national bodies, collaboration and coordination takes place with regional and local entities. As one example, the establishment of Technological Universities (TUs) is a major structural change in Ireland’s R&I environment and was realised in close consultation with regional policy actors. Enterprise Ireland and IDA (Industrial Development Agency) Ireland are two national agencies that are key to implementing and adapting policy making to the circumstances of the Irish regions. They are two of the nine Regional Steering Committees established by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment that finalised and began the implementation of the regional enterprise plans (REPs), regional spatial and economic strategies and regional skills fora, which feed into the national S3.

National and regional S3s: organisation and governance

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment has launched an updated S3 for Ireland, covering the period to 2027. There is no S3 at the sub-national level, reflecting the scale of the country. The national S3 strategy, i.e. the National Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027 is monitored and implemented by a multi-level process involving national and regional stakeholders. The national implementation group is responsible for this and involves several stakeholders at various levels of government. This group oversees the delivery of S3 national and regional strategic priorities by bringing together relevant policy leads, as well as related agencies and bodies directly involved in implementation as required. The group ensured that all enabling S3 criteria are met at national level, and that S3 governance and monitoring structures, as well as the role of regional interests within S3, are in place. This brings additional value to the S3 process by bridging any gaps between national and regional policies. The group is also responsible for ensuring coherence and promotion of S3 principles across the whole of government. At the sub-national level, the regional assemblies (each covering a group of counties) are represented in this group. These assemblies are actively involved in the development and implementation of the S3 at regional level. They coordinate with local stakeholders, businesses, and research institutions, and are thus well placed to voice their opinion and ensure that the overall strategy reflects the reality and policy landscape at the regional and local level of government. Local enterprise offices (LEOs) and regional development agencies are also part of the national implementation group. LEOs, along with other regional development agencies, also play a key role in implementing S3 policies at the local level and have a good overview of the entrepreneurial discovery process at the various regions of the country.

For information on regional S3s, please return to the homepage: https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/assets/s3-observatory/index_en.html