Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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116. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the correspondence he has received from the chief executive of the Higher Education Authority regarding governance, human resources and financial practices in the University of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24924/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The HEA wrote to my Department in October 2016 regarding the issues raised at UL.  My Department and the HEA and the University of Limerick (UL) have engaged in ongoing discussions which have culminated in agreement being reached between all parties to conduct an independent review into the governance, HR and financial practices and procedures at the University.

This decision arises from a number of protected disclosures and other complaints received from current and former employees of the University. To date, there have been a number of steps taken to address the issues raised, including the Mazar’s report whose recommendations the HEA have been working closely with UL to implement.

The independent review will address the issues raised and ensure that robust policies for the future are in place. The Department and the HEA have independently finalised the terms of reference for the review. The Department and the HEA has agreed that the HEA will oversee the review and the HEA have proceeded to appoint Mr Richard Thorn, President Emeritus of Sligo Institute of Technology, as the appropriate independent external reviewer to conduct the review. 

It is expected that the final review will be completed and submitted to the HEA by 30th September 2017. In the event that it is not practicable to make a final report within this timeframe, an interim report will be provided.