The research of the institute focuses on the areas of sustainable economic growth and social progress.
The institute was founded in 1960 by a group of senior academics and public servants, led by T. K. Whitaker, Secretary of the Department of Finance.
While conducting an economic study of Ireland, Whitaker became aware of the necessity for an independent research organisation to conduct analysis of data using up-to-date quantitative techniques in order to make the data useful for public policy makers.
The US-based Ford Foundation provided seed funding to establish the Economic Research Institute in 1960.
The first Director of the institute was Roy C. Geary, Irish statistician and founder of the Central Statistics Office.
The institute makes significant contributions across its 12 designated areas of research:[3] macroeconomics; internationalisation and competitiveness; energy and environment; communications and transport; labour markets and skills; migration, integration and demography; education; taxation, welfare and pensions; social inclusion and equality; health and quality of life; children and young people; and behavioural economics.
[4] The Economic and Social Research Institute and Trinity College Dublin agreed to a strategic partnership in July 2010.
[5] The agreement enables both institutions to build collaborative and complementary strengths in the social sciences.
[6] The institute's research is disseminated through ESRI publications, academic journals, books and government reports.
Additionally, there is a Forum of more than 30 members representing a broad range of stakeholders, who are consulted in relation to the institute's strategic development.
The ESRI is audited by the Comptroller & Auditor General and is subject to the rules that apply to state organisations in relation to prompt payments, disclosure, risk management and tax clearance.
In M. MacLachlan & M. Caball (eds) Social science in the knowledge society: Research policy in Ireland.