Food Research Ireland - Department of Agriculture

3. Developing a mechanism to monitor and assess the impact of State
investments in food research so as to ensure that the investments made
are cognisant of the needs of the stakeholders.
The Plan has identified 6 thematic research areas of importance, all of which
are underpinned by key investment areas (see table below). Within each of
the investment areas, research objectives have been clearly defined and
these objectives will guide future state investments in food research and
innovation in Ireland. It should be noted that investment in these key areas
will be required to ensure the development of an integrated and relevant
research base that can be accessed by the industry to underpin new product
and process developments, enable commercialisation of research outputs
and drive innovation within the sector. Sustained investment will also ensure
Ireland builds on and continues to strengthen its internationally recognised
research base.
Thematic Research Area Underpinning Key Investment Area
Food Product Development and Innovation Food chemistry and formulation
Sensory science
Novel processing technologies
Nanotechnology
Encapsulation
Food Processing Technologies Food structures
Food processing technologies
Food and Health Functional ingredients/foods and bioactives
Nutrition
Gut health
Food Business and Consumer Science Consumer research
Food Chain Integrity and Sustainability Food chain integrity
Food chain sustainability
Food Safety and Quality Food safety and quality including:
• Microbial Hazards
• Chemical contaminants
• Quality, traceability and authenticity
The implementation of Food Research Ireland will be cognisant of the Report
of the National Research Prioritisation Exercise, the National Recovery plan
2011 – 2014 and the availability of national and international funds for
research. To ensure that it remains relevant to the needs of the stakeholders,
it will require ongoing collaboration, consultation and consideration of the
evolving needs of consumers, regulatory authorities, industry and academia
as well as the policy needs of the State. Collaboration may involve intra- and
inter-institutional partnerships, public/private partnerships or other
mechanisms that are deemed appropriate.
Overall, future investments in food research must be deployed to deliver
strategic value for the sector whilst at the same time recognising the needs
of other stakeholders. The outputs and impacts of any investments will
require monitoring and assessment regarding value for money according to
agreed metrics.
Table: Six thematic research areas and the underpinning key investment areas required to ensure an integrated and relevant research base within Irish
Research Performing Organisations
Food Research Ireland
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