Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2010.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will seek information from the Higher Education Authority on the number of higher education institutions that were ineligible for research funding based on the fact that they did not achieve Athena SWAN awards; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35773/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In Ireland, academic freedom, including matters related to research funding, is strongly protected by legislation, such as the Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Universities Act 1997. The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (HEAA 2022) further supports this by including provisions to:

• Advance equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education.
• Respect the academic freedom of higher education providers and their academic staff.

HEIs that participate in the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter commit to its principles. These institutions recognize that their equality challenges and development priorities vary and should be informed by local evidence as well as national and global equality challenges in higher education.

Athena SWAN Ireland is managed by dedicated staff based in Ireland, and award recommendations are made by panels of peer reviewers from the Irish higher education sector. Following a national consultation, the Athena SWAN Ireland Charter was updated in 2021 to offer a framework tailored to advancing equality in higher education and research in Ireland.

There are no higher education institutions with whom the HEA works under statute or who are in receipt of core funding from the HEA that are ineligible for research funding based on the fact that they did not achieve Athena Swan awards.

I trust this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.