Top think-tank admits securing funds ‘challenging’

The country’s top think-tank has admitted that securing funding for research into social issues is proving a serious challenge.

In response to questions from the Irish Examiner the director of the Economic and Social Research Institute, Frances Ruane, said: “Since the downturn, it has been particularly difficult to get funds for research on social issues as the departments and agencies’ budgets for research have been cut.”

Under the ESRI’s funding model it currently receives €2.7m directly in grant aid from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in addition to raising a further €3.5m annually for economic and social research.