Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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51. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 177 and 178 of 11 November 2020 and 663 of 24 November 2020, if he has requested a copy of the report from the University of Limerick; if he has requested a copy of the high level outcomes and recommendations from the report; his views on the recommendations of the report; the action he plans to take in response to the findings of the report; if the outcomes of the review have now been shared with the Higher Education Authority; if so, the response of the Authority to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43312/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As outlined in my previous responses to the Deputy on this issue, the report referred to was undertaken by the University of Limerick (UL) in the context of its legislative autonomy to address and resolve any issue that arises within the University. Under the Universities Act 1997, overall authority for the affairs of the University is vested in the Governing Authority appointed under the Act.

The Deputy will also be aware that under the relevant legislation there are strong statutory safeguards to protect the identify of a worker making a protected disclosure.

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has been advised that the outcomes of the UL review have been shared with the Governing Authority of UL and that it is expected that a copy of the outcomes and recommendations will also be shared with the HEA.

Regarding actions arising from any review, under the Governance Framework operated by institutions in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), institutions are obliged to notify the HEA of any weaknesses in internal control identified within the institution or issues which may have wider relevance for the HEA. My Department has not requested a copy of the report nor a copy of its outcomes or recommendations. Therefore I can offer no view at this stage on the report's recommendations. However, once the UL Governing Authority has concluded its deliberations, I expect any recommended actions to be instituted by the University and appropriately notified to the HEA.

My Department has not requested a copy of the report nor a copy of its outcomes or recommendations. Therefore I can offer no view at this stage on the report's recommendations. However, once the UL Governing Authority has concluded its deliberations, I expect any recommended actions to be instituted by the University and appropriately notified to the HEA.