Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 24:

In page 30, line 24, to delete “programmes;” and substitute the following:

“programmes,

(vi) that they have a strategy and capacity to meet the standards required for an Athena Swan Silver Award and that they have initiated that process;”.

This amendment seeks to ensure that the universities established under this Bill have the capacity to meet the highest possible standards. The Athena SWAN award sets the standard for gender equality in third-level institutions, and it has been very encouraging to see so many universities and institutions around Ireland put mechanisms and strategies to earn this award in place. However, no institute of technology, IT, has yet been awarded an Athena SWAN award at any level, although some have initiated the process. This is an area that should be made a priority in the establishment of the universities, especially because funding will soon become contingent on achieving at least a silver award. It seems only logical that it is given statutory footing in this Bill.

I know the Minister of State's commitment to gender equality in education, and I hope she can accept this amendment. I think this is an exceptionally important amendment, considering that some universities have applied several times for the Athena SWAN and have been refused it. They have been working on their implementation processes for many years and have not been able to reach that standard. If university funding or a part thereof is to become contingent on achieving that Athena SWAN award, I note the institutes of technology will be coming in to that process very late. This amendment is about how they can have the capacity and resources to be able to achieve the required standard in gender equality.