Muiris joined the department in 2015 to head up the R&D and Health Analytics Division. In this role, Muiris has responsibility for evidence-based approaches to policy and to the promotion of research and innovation in Irish health and social care. His responsibilities also include health information policy, health services reform and All-island, EU and international engagements.
During the pandemic, Muiris focused on the contribution of research and innovation in the fight against COVID and on harnessing the potential of public sector innovation involving HSE, HRB, CSO, OGCIO, OSI and AGS in collaboration with academia and enterprise. Outputs of this work include the CSO Data Hub, the COVID Tracker App, the WHO Solidarity Trials and the delivery of EU Digital COVID Certificates. He is now centrally involved in the implementation of Regional Health Areas and in the work on the Health Information Bill.
Prior to joining the Department of Health, Muiris worked in the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the Department of Education and Skills, the Conference of Religious of Ireland (CORI), the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). Muiris is a graduate of Philosophy and ‘Soc & Pol’ from the University of Galway and as well as a former employee of the college when he worked as a researcher with Professor Eamon O’Shea at the Department of Economics early in his career.