Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Irish College of Humanities and Applied Sciences is a privately funded institution and I have no role or remit in respect of this body. Munster Technological University (MTU) have advised me that the course in question was developed on request from Cuan Mhuire who were expanding their gambling addiction service provision and required education for their counsellors within the context of gambling addiction. MTU have been collaborating with Galilee House of Studies who are the education arm linked to Cuan Mhuire in the delivery of the BA in Counselling with Addiction for 6 years. Cuan Mhuire were openly engaging with GAT in supporting this course.The team at Cuan Mhuire identified that the Gambling Awareness Trust would support the students who participated by refunding the course fee to the value of 70%. MTU did not have direct contact with GAT as Cuan Mhuire administered the reimbursement of 70% of the fees.

The programme was developed and processed using the QA procedures required for all courses. Places were offered to practitioners who worked within the area of counselling and addiction from across the sector including Cuan Mhuire, Family Resource Centres, counsellors who had a special interest in gambling addiction. Learners were informed of the support provided by GAT and the CEO of GAT met the learners at the first session. The course is largely delivered by guest speakers in the areas of counselling and addiction. MTU have advised me that they do not stand to gain financially from hosting the course. Cuan Mhuire pays the guest speakers who facilitate the sessions. MTU receives no further resources for the delivery of this course.As you are aware, Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs and in relation to decisions on research commissioned by bodies from academics in any HEI.