Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My Department and the HEA are very alert to the need for effective governance. We have, as the Deputy knows, given institutions of education considerable autonomy. They have to use that autonomy carefully. They are subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General who has, as he as done in other public institutions, revealed cases of bad practice. Those are being addressed. Going beyond that, we have outlined a specific programme of rolling reviews that are now in place to enhance the governance. Besides the annual reviews of governance which we receive, we are undertaking cross-institution reviews and focusing on areas where there have been particular concerns. Non-compliance of payments is a particular example where there is now a review in place. We are taking a very proactive approach to this.

On the specifics of the foundations and bringing them on balance sheet, we have been working with the Comptroller and Auditor General. Many of the institutions have now regularised their accounts and others are in the course of doing so to make sure these foundations are properly reported. Many institutions have funding sources other than just the State. That is how these developed. They have been commendable sources of funding, but they do need to be accounted for in a proper way in order that we can see transparency. This is an issue the Comptroller and Auditor General has identified and it is being addressed.

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