Ninth Level Ireland

“Trinity College Dublin has secured key exemptions from sweeping Government reforms aimed at strengthening the accountability of higher education institutions due to its ‘distinct legal basis’. The Higher Education Authority Bill 2022 – the biggest shake-up of third-level governance in 50 years – aims to cut the size of university governing bodies, empower the Minister to appoint a majority of external members and provide a legal footing for reviews of individual colleges …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 14 January]

“Rumblings about increased government involvement in university governance have been around for some time, but in the past year, the knowledge that legislation is the pipeline has further heightened fears. The full bill was published last week, and it’s now clear that the Department of Higher Education is seeking to radically change the relationship between colleges and the Higher Education Authority …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 13 January]

“Trinity College Dublin Students’ Union (TCDSU) and the Graduate Students’ Union (GSU) have both said they will lobby for the retention of four student representatives on College Board, after the publication of a bill which will limit the number of students on university governing bodies to two …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 12 January]

“Sir, – Prof Neil Robinson of the University of Limerick (Letters, January 4th) refers to university legislation containing ‘Trinity-specific provisions’. He asks, ‘why is the legislation not requiring all universities to adopt Trinity’s governance structures if they are so above reproach?’ …” (more)

[Letters, Irish Times, 10 January]

“After years of worries about government encroachment into Irish universities, the Department of Higher Education has finally laid out its vision for the future relationship between the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and universities. For colleges, it’s not a pretty one …” (more)

[University Times, 9 January]

“A chara, – Cloaked in a language of ‘accountability’, the Government’s new approach to higher education might be an easy sell to the public in general (‘Universities face sweeping changes in oversight and governance under new Bill’, News, January 3rd) …” (more)

[Joe Whelan, Irish Times, 8 January]

“Universities could be asked to refund state money they have been granted if the Higher Education Authority (HEA) feels the institution is not meeting the conditions attached to state funding …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 7 January]

“Sir, – I note with curiosity the recent rebranding of almost all hospitals in the country as university hospitals. Doubtless due to copying an international trend, presumably it is merited on the basis of a formal connection to a university and that university-level teaching, learning and research occur there …” (more)

[Conor Mooney, Irish Times, 7 January]

“A chara, – The proposed legislation on university governance will shrink, not only the size of governing authorities, but will also serve to muzzle the voices of academic and administrative staff (News, January 3rd). As outlined, membership will be weighted in favour of external (including ministerially appointed) members …” (more)

[Letters, Irish Times, 6 January]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today confirmed government approval to publish the Higher Education Authority Bill to reform the oversight and regulation of the Higher Education Institutions and modernise the regulatory role of the Higher Education Authority …” (more)

[DFHERIS, 4 January]

“A chara, – Once again it is reported that ‘Trinity-specific provisions in the legislation’ on university governance are to be made (‘Universities face sweeping changes in oversight and governance under new Bill’, News, January 3rd) …” (more)

[Neil Robinson, Irish Times, 4 January]

“Third-level colleges will be more accountable for the State funding they receive under new legislation, due soon. It is part of a major overhaul of the relationship between Government and higher education, which has been under discussion since 2018 …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 3 January]

“Third-level colleges face penalties for misconduct including having funding withheld under the biggest shake-up to regulation of higher education in almost 50 years. The changes will also cut the size of university governing bodies, empower the Minister to appoint a majority of external members and provide a legal footing for carrying out reviews on how colleges are performing …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 3 January]

“Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the likely timeline by which Dundalk Institute of Technology will attain technological university status as part of the technological university project which has transformed higher education across the State (details supplied); and if he will ensure that the institute will not continue to be left behind …” (more)

[Dáil debates, 30 November]

“Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the higher education governance Bill; when the Bill is expected to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 18 November]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps that are being taken to prepare the third level education system to meet the demands that will be placed on it by the enactment of the Official Language (Amendment) Bill 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 9 November]

“Sinn Féin spokesperson on Housing Eoin Ó Broin TD has said that is it disappointing that Minister for Housing appears not to have addressed the student accommodation loophole in his upcoming Residential Tenancies Bill …” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 5 November]

“Fears are mounting that student representation will be cut on Trinity’s top decision-making body, as College struggles with potential major changes to its governance structures, The University Times can reveal …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 12 October]

“Executive Summary: The General Scheme of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021 seeks to revoke the existing Higher Education Authority Bill 1971, now over 50 years old. The General Scheme also seeks to introduce a range of reforms which respond to the transformed landscape in which higher education currently operates …” (more)

[Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, 28 September]

“The final report from Trinity’s Board Review Working Group was deliberately vague on the question of students on Board, Provost Linda Doyle has said …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 8 September]