Ms Tanya Kenny:

I will come in first with regard to the clarity of roles and the role of the Minister and the Department. The Minister's role is about setting the policy for the sector. The HEA is responsible then for implementing this policy. I will let Mr. Conlon expand more on that. Obviously, with implementing that policy comes the distribution of funding to the sector and the oversight of the sector.

In the legislation on the general scheme, it is proposed that the Minister can issue directions to the HEA on any matter related to the Act and the implementation of any policy or objective of the Minister or the Government.