Transport Research in the European Research Area

I R E L A N D
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
www.transport.ie
Department of Education and Science
An Roinn Oideachais agus Eolaíochta
www.education.ie
Department of Enterprise, Trade and
Employment
Roinn Fiontair, Trádála agus Fostaíochta
www.entemp.ie
Department of the Environment, Heritage
and Local Government
An Roinn Comhshaoil, Oidhreachta agus
Rialtais Áitiúil
www.environ.ie
Higher Education Authority
An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas
www.hea.ie
National Roads Authority (NRA)
An tÚdarás um Bóithre Náisiúnta
www.nra.ie
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.
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TRANSPORT RESEARCH IN THE EUROPEAN RESEARCH AREA