Key organisational goals are academic excellence, objectivity, relevance to policy, meeting the needs of clients and widespread dissemination of results. ESRI research has been a vital constituent in the national debate on economic and social issues over the past 30 years. The most important resource of the Institute is its staff, all of whom have high levels of academic attainment and expertise. Research staff number about 35, supported by a roughly equal number in technical and administrative grades. ESRI research has been published in over 400 reports in the Institute's own research publications, such as the General Research Series, the Quarterly Economic Commentary and the Medium-Term Review of the Irish Economy.
Staff also publish extensively in books, academic journals and proceedings of conferences.
The Institute has built up significant research resources in the form of its Survey Unit, Library and other services. A macro-economic model of the Irish economy has been constructed and is under constant development. A microsimulation model designed to assess the effects of tax and social welfare changes has also been created. Specialist centres dealing with Health Policy, Environmental Policy, Energy Policy and Manpower Forecasting are in operation. The Institute is a private company, limited by guarantee, incorporated under the Companies Acts 1963-1990, and enjoys full academic independence.