Country Overviews
IRELAND
IntroductionNational Government Departments and Agencies
Regional and Local Authorities
See Programmes
Introduction
In Ireland, the major public funding source for research into transport is provided by the National Development Plan (NDP), which aims to lay the foundation for Ireland's further economic and social development. The planned improvements to the national road network and public transport services are key investment areas for the NDP.
Ireland's peripheral island location makes it all the more important for it to have high quality internal and international transport arrangements.
The overarching priorities in the transport sector are to improve the inter-urban road network and public transport services, as part of an integrated approach to meeting transport needs.
There is no national programme that purely addresses transport-related topics. Various governmental ministries and agencies run NDP-funded transport research projects and programmes in line with their policies and agendas. The main ones are summarised here. As is most evident in the case of the aeronautics industry in Ireland, much of Ireland's research is carried out as part of European consortia under EC framework programmes.
The main university research provider is the Centre for Transportation Research and Innovation for People (TRIP) at Trinity College Dublin.
National Government Departments and Agencies
Department of Transport / An Roinn Iompair
Department of Education and Science / An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta
Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment / Roinn Fiontair, Trádála agus Fostaíochta
Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government / An Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus Rialtais Áitiúil
Higher Education Authority / An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas
National Roads Authority (NRA) / An tÚdarás um Bóithre Náisiúnta
NDP - National Development Plan (2007-2013) / Plean Forbartha Náisiúnta
Major national investment plan, including some research. Led by the Department of Finance. Most transport research programmes received funding under the NDP. This is also the main vehicle for taking forward actions under the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation (2006-2013).
www.ndp.ie
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) / Fondúireacht Eolaíochta Éireann
SFI is investing €1.4 billion in research across all sectors under the NDP. Two of the three research areas are relevant to transport: Information and communications technology (ICT) and Sustainable energy and energy-efficient technologies.
www.sfi.ie
PRTLI - Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions (1998-2012)
Research capacity development programme, providing funding for research projects in higher education institutions, including some transport-related ones e.g.
Centre for Transportation Research and Innovation for People (TRIP). Managed by the Higher Education Authority and funded under the National Development Plan.
www.hea.ie/en/prtli and www.tcd.ie/transport_research_centre
Pilot Transport Research Programme (2002-2006)
An effort to address Ireland's transport requirements. Four sub-programmes. Led by the Department of Transport and the Higher Education Authority and funded under the National Development Plan.
www.hea.ie/projects/index.htm
Research in the National Roads Authority
Research aimed at meeting policy goals of the NDP and Transport 21 programmes, focusing on materials, standards and specifications, environment/sustainable construction, road safety, value for money, transport/land-use, and the impact of roads on society/heritage.
www.nra.ie/Research
Regional and Local Authorities
Dublin Transportation Office / Oifig Iompair Átha Cliath
A Platform for Change
Dealing with an integrated transportation strategy for the Greater Dublin areas up to 2016. Various transport research projects will be funded as part of this strategy.
www.dto.ie/strategy.htm
