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The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton T.D., today announced the appointments to the board of the Educational Research Centre (ERC).
The ERC is a statutory body, separate from the Department of Education and Skills, responsible for conducting research, assessment and evaluation in education.

Dr. Pauric Travers is a former President of St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. Dr. Travers is the designate Chairperson of the board. In accordance with the Programme for a Partnership Government, Dr. Travers will appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education & Skills, prior to his appointment being confirmed.

Dr. Denise Burns is a former Principal of Sancta Maria College, Rathfarnham. She has been designated as deputy Chairperson.

Dr. Jude Cosgrove is currently a Senior Statistical Analyst with the Institute of Public Health and is a former Research Associate at the ERC. She will be serving on the board of the ERC in her personal capacity.

Prof. Michael Martin is a Research Professor at Lynch School of Education in Boston College, USA.

Mr. Edward Murtagh is a former Assistant Chief Inspector at the Department of Education and Skills.

The board will hold office for a term of five years, completing its first term in 2021.

Minister Bruton said, “The calibre and expertise of the board will help the ERC to maintain its reputation as a centre of excellence in research, assessment and evaluation in education. The ERC is of strategic importance for the development of Irish educational policy and practice. It oversees Ireland’s participation in major national and international surveys such as PISA, TIMSS and PIRLS. The board will have a key role in providing strategic direction for this important work.”

The Minister welcomed the new appointees and wished them well in their important roles.


Information Note:

The Educational Research Centre (ERC) at Drumcondra was founded in the 1960s. In view of its strategic importance, the Government decided to formally establish it as an agency under section 54 of the Education Act, 1998. This will be the first board appointed to the ERC.

The main responsibilities of the ERC are to:
· Provide an assessment support service to schools and centres for education (including the development and provision of standardised tests and other assessment instruments) and
· Conduct independent research on all aspects of education and at all levels of the education system including research that will inform policy making and the improvement of educational standards.