Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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176. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the authority or legislation under which she or her Department can establish or order an investigation into the activities of universities, including the misappropriation of funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34937/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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Higher education institutions, including Universities, are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day to day affairs. It is expected that if any issues arise in relation to the misappropriation of funds it is, in the first instance, addressed by the University authorities. As the Deputy is aware Universities are under the designation of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and should any issue arise in any University my Department would liaise with the HEA with regard to addressing the particular matter.

The provisions for appointment by the Minister for Education of a Visitor to a University are set out in Sections 19 and 20 of the Universities Act, 1997. It provides that "where the Minister is of the opinion that there are reasonable grounds for contending that the functions of a university are being performed in a manner which prima facie constitutes a breach of the laws, statutes or ordinances applicable to the university, the Minister may, after first advising the governing authority of his or her opinion and considering any explanation given in response, and with the concurrence of the Government, request the Visitor to the University to inquire into any matter giving rise to the Minister's opinion".