In Piemonte socio-economic research in support of local government planning took off by initiative of the Provincia di Torino. The Provincia formally established Ires on May 9th 1958 by act of notary public.

By Regional Law of September 2nd 1974, later amended, Ires becomes a regional agency in its own right. Its mission reads as follows: “…Ires… as a government agency carries on its duties in close cooperation with the Regional Government’s planning needs … in this capacity it also assists local governments and authorities“.

Ires functions are currently defined by Regional Law no.43/1991. It sets up the “new” Ires, Istituto di Ricerche Economico Sociali del Piemonte, as the agency charged with research activites to assist the Regione’s planning responsibilities in cooperation with the local government.