Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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12. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement his Department has had with the Higher Education Authority regarding financial deficits at universities in Ireland; his views on whether there should be greater transparency between the Higher Education Authority and other third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19706/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the primary responsibility for the management of an institution rests with the Governing Body. Under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 the statutory responsibilities of Governing Bodies includes management of the financial affairs of institutions to secure value for money and financial viability.

The Higher Education Authority's statutory functions under this Act include the responsibility to support the effective governance of designated institutions of higher education by overseeing and ensuring compliance and accountability with respect to appropriate governance frameworks.

In this context, the HEA is actively engaging with those higher education institutions that have incurred financial deficits and where appropriate, has invoked provisions in the 2022 Act which require an institution to provide a report to the HEA.

Following receipt of a report, the HEA can determine that no further action is necessary, that remedial measures are required or that an independent review should be undertaken.

In such circumstances, it is important that time and space is afforded to allow the relevant institution to review the issue and put in place any appropriate arrangements to address the matter and to mitigate against similar issues arising in the future. The priority always is to seek to avoid impacts on staff and learners in the relevant institution.

My Department also has ongoing engagement with the HEA on all matters pertaining to the funding and governance oversight of the sector, including in situations where financial deficits or projected financial deficits arise.