Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 525: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the procedure to be adopted regarding senior posts in higher education, when it emerges subsequent to interview that an appointee to such a senior post has previously been dismissed from a post in higher education; and if she will make a statement on policy in relation to this matter. [35179/05]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 526: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, in the specific case of institutes of technology, it had emerged subsequent to appointment that the appointee to a senior post had previously been dismissed from an academic post in third level education; the requirements of the institute in this matter; and if there is any policy position by the Department of Education and Science in respect of such matters. [35180/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, under the Universities Act 1997, universities are autonomous institutions and I, as Minister, have no role in the day-to-day management of the institutions. Sections 24 and 25 of the Act provide for the appointment of a chief officer and staff to a university.

With regard to the technological sector, the institutes of technology are statutory bodies established under the Regional Technical Colleges Acts 1992 to 1999 and the Dublin Institute of Technology Acts 1992 and 1994. Section 11 of the Regional Technical Colleges Act 1992 and section 12 of the Dublin Institute of Technology Act 1992 provide for the appointment of staff to the institutes. Under the terms of these Acts, the governance and day-to-day activities of the institutes, including the appointment of staff, are matters for which the governing bodies and the management authorities of the institutes are responsible.