Dr Damian O’Connell, Chair of Molecular Medicine Ireland has welcomed the publication by Mary Harney TD, Minister for Health and Children of the Government’s Health Research Action Plan. ‘The Health Research Action Plan recognises the contribution of research to better outcomes for patients and to creating the ‘Smart Economy’. It is most encouraging that the key Government agencies have signed up to play their part in strengthening our system of health research’, Dr O’Connell said.

 In welcoming the Health Research Action Plan, MMI is mindful of the contribution that researchers in Ireland have already made to the global challenge of overcoming disease and protecting health and the added value that their research has brought to the Irish economy. The choreography between government agencies promised in the Health Research Action Plan will enhance the infrastructure and environment for clinical and translational research in Ireland and enable a greater impact on health and wealth

 

MMI has also welcomed the launch by Minister Harney of the Health Research Board’s Strategic Business Plan 2009-11. Dr Ruth Barrington, CEO of MMI said that it is encouraging to see the commitment of the HRB to driving the development of excellent clinical research, including applied biomedical research, within a coherent health research system.

 ‘MMI’s mission is to mobilise the strengths of our partner institutions to build a sustainable national system for translational and clinical research. We look forward to working with the HRB to realise our shared goals for clinical research’, Dr Barrington said. MMI is finalising the Clinical Research Roadmap, prepared by experts in every aspect of clinical research brought together through ICRIN – the Irish Clinical Research Infrastructure Network. The Roadmap will be an important contribution from the clinical research community to building a national system for clinical research.

 

The Health Research Action Plan, prepared by the Health Research Action Group chaired by Mr Jim Breslin, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health and Children, assigns responsibility for key actions in constructing a national health research system. Key responsibilities assigned include:
• Direct and lead the national health research system – Department of Health and Children
• Develop a research governance framework for research in the health services – Health Service Executive
• Streamline and consolidate ethical approval structures – Department of Health and Children
• Develop strategic research clusters of academics, clinicians and industry investigators in experimental and translational medicine - Science Foundation Ireland

The Health Research Action Plan is available at: http://www.dohc.ie/publications/health_research_action_plan.html
The HRB’s Strategic Business Plan is available at: http://www.hrb.ie/uploads/tx_hrbpublications/HRB_Strategy_2010-2014.pdf
A press release issued by the Department of Health and Children is available at: http://www.dohc.ie/press/releases/2009/20091104.html