New University of Limerick research centre aims to improve public services

A NEW University of Limerick research centre is seeking to improve the delivery of public services that will ‘benefit society as a whole’.

The Centre for Implementation Research (CIRcUL) is the first academically-led Implementation Research centre in Ireland.

The multidisciplinary research hub was launched at UL by Mayor of Limerick John Moran, and is dedicated to advancing the development of evidence-informed research, policies, programmes, and professional practices to improve the delivery of public services.

Speaking at the launch event, Mayor John Moran noted that there was “high potential to create ground-breaking synergies within the City and County Council and the Centre” for the benefit of the population, especially in “addressing housing and homelessness issues”.

A key project for the Centre this year is to evaluate the four Local Area Child Poverty Action Plan pilot areas. 

The pilots aim to achieve better service integration and improve access to available services for disadvantaged children, young people and their families. 

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The Centre has received core funding from the Higher Education Authority for a period of three years to conduct implementation research science projects.

It will focus on building national and international skills and expertise in implementation science, conducting policy-focused research projects, delivering evidence-informed implementation solutions for complex societal issues, developing theories, methods, and tools in implementation science, and contributing to academic literature with high-quality research publications.

UL Vice President Research and Innovation Professor Kevin Ryan said: “Developing and enhancing the capacities of our research centres are key elements in achieving the University’s research strategy and priorities”.

Professor Alice Coffey, from UL’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, who played an important role in establishing the Centre at the University, said: “This was only possible thanks to the extraordinary collegiality of an interdisciplinary team, namely the former Health Implementation Science and Technology Research Cluster and the Research Evidence into Policy Programmes and Practice Unit, led by Professor Seán Redmond.”

Centre director Dr Laura Keyes said: “Our Centre is committed to developing innovative strategies and solutions that will enhance the implementation of evidence-informed practices in public services, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.”

A second key project of the centre is in collaboration with Respond, to implement their approach to supporting communities alongside the social and cost rental housing they provide.

Declan Dunne, CEO of Respond, said, “It will provide essential learning for us on what works, why it works, how we can improve and critically how we can replicate our successes making a real difference to the lives of people we work in our communities and who live in the homes we provide,” said Declan.

Other projects that CIRcUL will undertake this year include working with Limerick City and County Council on homelessness and anti-social behaviour challenges, with the Health Service Executive on implementation of initiatives under SláinteCare and with the Maximising Breastfeeding Supports national project.