Since the last R&I strategy (Innovation 2020) there have been some significant developments feeding into the development of the landscape of Ireland’s R&I system. These include the establishment of DFHERIS, new HEA legislation, the establishment of Technological Universities and the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to these changes, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris launched the Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy”  on 18 May 2022. 

Impact 2030 has five pillars, on the impact of: 

• research and innovation on our economy, society and the environment 
• research and innovation structures on excellence and outcomes 
• innovation on enterprise success 

• talent at the centre of the research and innovation ecosystem 
• research and innovation on Ireland’s all-island, EU and global connectivity 

Three work programmes will guide the implementation of the strategy. The first work programme which will last three years (2022 – 2024) is outlined in the strategy document. Given the HEA’s wider HE system role, existing relationships with the HEIs and stronger governance powers under the new HEA legislation, the agency will be key in progressing the pillars relating to the impact of Research and Innovation Structures on Excellence and Outcomes and Talent at the Heart of the Research and Innovation System. It will also have an important role in the All-Island, EU and Global Connectivity pillar through its management of the North-South Research Programme and the supporting of collaborative all-island relationships as a result.  

The first annual progress report for Impact 2030 was released in July 2023. This report highlights the ongoing initiatives in place that supports the aims and objectives of Impact 2030. The HEA is proud to be counted among those who contributed significantly to this progress with such schemes as the North South Research Programme, the revised HEA Principles of Good Practice in Research within Irish Higher Education Institutions, the HEA block grant, the Second HEA National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education and the HEA’s work, in collaboration with other bodies, in the securing of €84 million for the Technological University R&I Supporting Enterprise scheme. TU RISE is co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union and supports research capacity building in the technological sector.