In this edition, we hear from Dr Lisa Keating, Acting Director General. Lisa explores why Ireland must act now and invest strategically in the research infrastructure that underpins Ireland’s innovation and competitiveness.
A Nation Under Construction: Why Ireland’s Future Needs Investment in Research Infrastructure
Ireland is rich in talent and ambition, with a research and innovation ecosystem that has consistently punched above its weight on the global stage. Yet, without robust, sustained investment in the infrastructure that underpins this success, these strengths risk being eroded — threatening not just advances in knowledge and innovation, but also economic growth, competitiveness, and the wellbeing of society.
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) is urging the Government to address this critical gap as part of the current National Development Plan (NDP) Review and the forthcoming Budget. The need is stark: Ireland has not had a coordinated national investment programme in research infrastructure since the Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) ended in 2015. Once ring-fenced funding ceased, annual investment fell from around €100 million to approximately €20 million per year — fragmented, uncoordinated, and insufficient to maintain a competitive, modern research system.
The consequences are becoming acute. A recent audit revealed that one-third of Ireland’s research infrastructure will be obsolete by the end of this year, rising to over 80% by 2030. In many institutions, essential equipment is no longer operational, and there is no capacity to repair or replace it. Researchers increasingly find themselves without the basic tools required for cutting-edge work, constraining productivity and impact. While once-off allocations of €15 million in 2023 and €40 million in 2024 have offered temporary relief, they do not replace the need for a strategic, multiannual funding model.
Minister Lawless and his Department have identified investment in research infrastructure as a key strategic priority, reflecting a commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a successor to the PRTLI, a key driver of economic progress.
In today’s world of geopolitical tension, rapid technological change, and pressing societal challenges, Ireland must ensure its researchers can work at the frontiers of knowledge. Strategic public investment in research infrastructure is not a cost; it is a catalyst. It fuels innovation-led growth, strengthens the State’s fiscal capacity, and supports solutions to complex national priorities — from climate action and health to housing and digital transformation. International evidence consistently shows euro for euro, public research investment delivers greater economic and societal returns than traditional infrastructure.
Recognising this, the IUA is calling for the creation of a dedicated, multiannual Research Infrastructure Fund of €100 million per year. This fund would be strategically aligned with national priorities, ensuring maximum public value and impact. Crucially, it would cover not only new infrastructure but also maintenance and specialist staffing to keep facilities at peak performance.
The fund should support both Shared Advanced Infrastructure — large-scale, multi-user facilities that connect institutions and regions — and Institutional Infrastructure, ensuring every campus can deliver high-quality research and education. Regional distribution is key, promoting balanced growth, enterprise engagement, and integration into global research networks.
As the Programme for Government rightly notes, “knowledge and talent are the pillars of our economic success.” Turning this vision into reality now requires decisive, sustained investment in the infrastructure that enables Ireland’s talent and ideas to flourish — securing prosperity and resilience for generations to come.
– Dr Lisa Keating, Acting Director General, Irish Universities Association