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SCIENCE FOUNDATION IRELAND ANNUAL REPORT 2015
Board ’ s Responsibilities
The Board has collective responsibility to establish the strategic direction of the Foundation within the legislative framework and allocated resources . The Board holds overall responsibility for the discharge of key functions specified in relevant legislation . The Board is responsible to direct and support the Director General to ensure that the Foundation complies with relevant obligations , to assure the Foundation ’ s system of internal financial control and risk management , to ensure full compliance with corporate governance requirements both in terms of the activities of the Foundation and in terms of their own dealings with the Foundation . The Board supervises and approves the production of the Annual Report and Accounts . The Board approves the annual budget , capital and revenue budgets and monitors expenditure . The Board oversees that a qualified management team and a robust management structure are in place .
Chair ’ s Responsibilities
The Chairperson ’ s primary duties are to organise the board and set the agenda for Board meetings , taking into account strategic matters and concerns of Board members and to chair all Board meetings . The Chairperson also ensures that the Board receive accurate , timely and clear information about the Foundation ’ s performance in particular in order that the Board can take sound decisions and monitor effectively . The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring that Board members receive induction and are offered opportunities for development and training so as to best ensure Board effectiveness . The Chairperson takes a lead in establishing the highest standards of corporate governance and ensures compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies .
Director General ’ s Responsibilities
The functions , powers and duties of the Director General are provided for in the 2003 founding legislation . This sets out inter alia that the Director General is responsible for the development of key divisions of the Foundation including the strategic management of policy , grants , finance , communications and international functions so as to support the development of a high performance organisation .
The Director General is also responsible for the implementation of the Board ’ s plans and policies and the development of strategic plans for the Foundation . The Director General is also charged with the enhancement of the international reputation of Science Foundation Ireland and thereby of scientific research in Ireland . The Director General meets with the Minister for Jobs , Enterprise and Innovation as a stakeholder and develops appropriate relationships with sister agencies and other research funding bodies . The Director General submits strategic plans and proposed budgets to the Board and reports to the Board on progress of Science Foundation Ireland ’ s development and operations based on the setting of targets and agreement of key performance indicators . The Director General is also responsible for ensuring the Foundation has appropriate policies on staffing , corporate governance , procurement , compliance , IT , communications and risk management and monitors adherence to the policies . In terms of development , the Director General ensures that policies on growth and service diversification are effectively planned and implemented .
Board Secretary ’ s Responsibilities
The Board Secretary is responsible to the Foundation for good governance and for the guidance of the Board in its effective execution of its tasks . The Board Secretary keeps up to date with relevant legal , statutory and regulatory requirements and must also be in a position to support non-executive Board members in the discharge of their duties . The Board Secretary is responsible for ensuring the appointment of Board members is properly carried out and assists with induction and training of Board members . The Board Secretary organises Board and Board Committee meetings , facilitates the flow of high quality information to Board members to ensure the Board can carry out its duties effectively and to ensure that the Board ’ s decisions and instructions are properly communicated and carried out . The Board Secretary is responsible for reviewing developments in Corporate Governance , Ethics , ensuring compliance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and for ensuring that the principles of good governance are adhered to .
The Science Foundation Ireland Board normally consists of 12 members appointed by the Minister for Jobs , Enterprise and Innovation , as set out in Section 8 of the Industrial Development ( Science Foundation Ireland ) Act 2003 .