Written answers

Tuesday, 24 May 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Institutions

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that a staff member at the National University of Ireland, Galway has sought protection under the whistleblower legislation after making a series of disclosures to the Higher Education Authority involving alleged wrongdoing and irregularities where a central feature of the complaint relates to the appointment of persons to positions within the National University of Ireland, Galway and to the use of consultants; how he is addressing the issues raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11735/16]

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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192. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the level of spending on consultants contracted across National University of Ireland, Galway from 2013 onwards including details of company names, units where they were used, fees, expenses, value added tax and other associated costs they were paid; on the use of consultants in a State-funded third level institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11736/16]

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the term of the president of the National University of Ireland, Galway will end and his preparations to appoint a successor including the timescale and process he envisages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 191 to 193, inclusive, together.

In October 2015 my Department received a Protected Disclosure from a staff member at the National University of Ireland, Galway (NUIG). As outlined by the Deputy the disclosure makes a number of allegations in relation to wrongdoing at the University. The correspondence was referred to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) as the Chief Executive Officer of the HEA is the designated official for such disclosures for the higher education sector.

Since then the HEA has met with the discloser and has referred the allegations to NUIG with a requirement to establish a robust and independent review process. Based on the response received from the University, as well as further engagement with the discloser, the HEA has written to the parties concerned in relation to the findings of the review and the next steps to be taken, including a procurement issue which is being brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller & Auditor General.

Unfortunately due to time constraints, NUIG was unable to provide the details on consultancy spend in the manner requested by the Deputy, however, officials of my Department have asked the HEA to request the information from NUIG and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to you as soon as it is available.

In relation to the position of President at NUIG, I understand that the current President was appointed in March 2008 for a period of 10 years. NUIG is an autonomous institution within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and under S.24(1) of the Universities Act it is the responsibility of the Governing Authority of NUIG to appoint the President of the University. Accordingly, I have no function in relation to this matter.

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