Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As outlined by the Deputies, these amendments propose to include a provision, following "That the Minister shall, in preparation of a strategy, have regard to - ", referring to "the funding status of individual designated institutions of higher education". The section provides for the preparation of a strategy for tertiary education that encompasses "the further education and training system and the higher education and research system". This will be a high-level strategy identifying the objectives and outputs for the tertiary education sector. My point is that this section is in that space.

We believe that the differentiation of institutional mission between the variety of higher education providers, and this is a diverse sector, is inherent in and outlined by section 33(4)(b). In an effort to be helpful, I indicate that I propose to amend section 35. Amendment No. 88 proposes, in the context of "The [HEA] shall, in preparing a performance framework, should have regard to [...] the strategy for tertiary education under section 33", to insert "taking account of the diversity of functions, objects and priorities of different higher education providers".

I am trying to capture what I think the Deputies are intending in section 35 rather than section 33 by expanding that section to include the words "taking account of the diversity of functions, objects and priorities of different higher education providers". That would build on the piece I have already referenced in section 33(4)(b) relating to the differentiation of institutional mission between higher education providers.