Annual Report 2021 - Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

2021 was the first full year of operation for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and as such this marks the Department’s first annual report.

The report is underpinned by our 2021-2023 Statement of Strategy. That Strategy outlines our goals as Talent, Innovation, Inclusion, International, Governance and Capacity and a guiding mission to develop Ireland’s further and higher education and research system to support people in reaching their full potential and to create value, prosperity, resilience and a cohesive, sustainable and vibrant society. Each of the policies, initiatives and strategies described in this report were deployed in support of this mission and I am happy to note that we have been successful advancing this ambitious agenda.

There were considerable advancements in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. The addition of FET options to the CAO meant the full range of options was visible to school leavers for the first time, and the record number of apprenticeship registrations in 2021 demonstrates the reach of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship. The development of the technological universities is a real priority for the Department and 2021 was a key year, with five Technological Universities now established and contributing regionally and nationally. We published the Higher Education Authority Bill which, when completed, will provide for the most significant governance reforms within the higher education sector in fifty years. 2021 also saw strong investments in Ireland’s research landscape supporting not only our researchers and innovators but also adding to the evidence base on key issues such as climate change.

2021 was also a year of significant organisational change in the Department. Throughout those changes we have endeavoured to foster a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, both internally and with our external stakeholders. This was evident in our internal structures as well as our policy formation. Colleagues have been incredibly ambitious and have seized the opportunity of a new Department and a new Statement of Strategy to deliver improvements for learners, researchers and the country as a whole.

Jim Breslin, Secretary General