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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.