Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Department headquarters on St Stephen's Green
Department overview
Formed2 August 2020 (6 years ago) (2020-08-02)
JurisdictionGovernment of Ireland
Headquarters
Minister responsible
Department executive
Websitegov.ie/dfheris

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Irish: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta) is a department of the Government of Ireland. It is led by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

The department is responsible for policy and funding in further education, higher education, research, innovation, science and skills. It also oversees state agencies and public institutions operating in these areas.

Departmental team

As of May 2026, the departmental team consists of the following:

The Government Science Advisor is based in the department. Professor Aoife McLysaght was appointed to the role in 2024 and serves as Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Government Science Advisor.

History

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was created by the Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 2020 as part of the reorganisation of governmental departments in the government of Micheál Martin.

Transfer of functions

Date Change
2 August 2020 Establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
21 October 2020 Transfer of Further and Higher Education, Research and Science from the Department of Education
1 January 2021 Transfer of Research Policy and Programmes from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Responsibilities

The department funds and develops policy for the further education, higher education and research sectors, and oversees the work of state agencies and public institutions operating in those areas. Its policy areas include further and higher education, research and innovation, and skills.

The department's Statement of Strategy 2025–2028 identifies four strategic priorities: fostering research and innovation as an economic enabler; providing accessible tertiary education; expanding pathways to skills, reskilling and apprenticeships; and promoting knowledge as a public good.

State agencies

The state agencies under the aegis of the department include:

Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland

Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland is a statutory research and innovation funding agency under the aegis of the department. It was established on 1 August 2024 under the Research and Innovation Act 2024, amalgamating the activities and functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.

The agency was established to promote and support the contribution of research and innovation to Ireland's economic, social, cultural and environmental development and sustainability, and to strengthen collaboration between the research and innovation system and enterprise, government, public bodies, the voluntary sector and society. Michael Horgan was appointed chairperson of the agency's board in 2024, and Dr Diarmuid O'Brien was appointed chief executive officer in 2025.

References

  1. 1 2 "What the department does". gov.ie. 10 September 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 "Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science". gov.ie. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "Professor Aoife McLysaght". gov.ie. 7 January 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  4. ↑ "Minister O'Donovan welcomes the appointment of Government Science Advisor". gov.ie. 8 October 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 Ministers and Secretaries and Ministerial, Parliamentary, Judicial and Court Offices (Amendment) Act 2020, s. 1: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (No. 10 of 2020, s. 1). Enacted on 2 August 2020. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 21 August 2020.
  6. ↑ Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 451 of 2020). Signed on 20 October 2020. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 16 November 2020.
  7. ↑ Research Policy and Programmes (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 586 of 2020). Signed on 1 December 2020. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 15 December 2020.
  8. ↑ "Statement of Strategy 2025–2028". gov.ie. 19 December 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  9. ↑ "State agencies under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science". gov.ie. 25 February 2021. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  10. ↑ "Minister O'Donovan welcomes establishment of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland". gov.ie. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Research and Innovation Act 2024". Irish Statute Book. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  12. ↑ "Minister O'Donovan announces establishment of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland". gov.ie. 24 July 2024. Retrieved 10 May 2026.
  13. ↑ "Minister Lawless welcomes the appointment by the Board of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland of Dr Diarmuid O'Brien as new CEO". Research Ireland. 14 May 2025. Retrieved 10 May 2026.