Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 138: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 2 October 2008, the Higher Education Authority has completed its dialogue with the universities over the adequacy of financial resources being granted to the universities; if he has received a report or correspondence from the HEA on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38011/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Universities Act, 1997, confers autonomous statutory responsibilities on universities in relation to the day to day management of their affairs. It is a matter for each university to manage their financial resources and to take the necessary steps to ensure that expenditure is kept within the approved budget.

I understand that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has met with, and informed the Irish University Association (IUA) of the challenging financial situation facing all institutions in 2009. The IUA has been advised that the HEA Executive will be meeting with each institution to discuss their budgetary situation. The IUA has also been informed that the Authority will be paying particular attention to the level of deficit in the sector and will be requiring specific plans, before the end of 2008, on how institutions propose to address any deficits. The HEA will be monitoring the level of deficit in the sector on an ongoing basis throughout 2009.