Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of international experts that were involved in a recent report commissioned by the Health Service Executive which looked at mergers in the third level sector; the names of each of the experts involved; if they were paid a fee; if so, the amount each was paid; if they received expenses; the amount of the expenses; the reason for these expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41920/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total amount spent on a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority which looked at mergers in the third level sector; if he will provide a breakdown of the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41921/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he approved the Higher Education Authority's decision to commission a report involving international experts looking at the third level sector; the date on which he gave this approval; the date on which he received a copy of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41922/12]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish a report commissioned by the Higher Education Authority which looks at mergers in the third level sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41923/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 186 to 189, inclusive, together.

" Towards a Higher Education Landscape" published in February 2012 initiated a process of engagement by the HEA with higher education institutions with a view to providing me with advice on the future configuration and development of the higher education system. As part of this process all publicly funded institutions were asked to make submissions to the HEA on their future strategic development within the system. The HEA also commissioned inputs from a panel of 6 international experts and the ESRI. My approval to the terms of reference for these specific inputs was not sought. I received a copy of a report by the international panel on 17 September. When the process of analysing the institutional submissions against the objectives and recommendations in the national strategy is completed this analysis, the panel report and the ESRI report will be published by the HEA. Full details of all costs associated with this process will be published when it has been finalised.