Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the precise reasoning behind the recently established financial review of Ireland's seven universities being conducted by the Higher Education Authority; if he will state the remit and timeframe for this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9778/04]

Noel Dempsey (Meath, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Authority, in light of the financial provision this year, is undertaking an in-depth review of the overall financial position of each university, including level of debt, assets, reserves and the financial position of the pension funds. The review may inform funding allocations by the HEA.

A working group has been established to facilitate the review, to advise on the analysis of data and to place the findings in an international context. The working group first met in February 2004 and it is anticipated that the review will be finalised by June 2004.