I propose to take Questions Nos. 540 and 555 to 557, inclusive, together.
My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including Institutes of Technology. The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution. The total recurrent funding allocated by the HEA to the Institutes of Technology last year was €363.5m. Most third level institutions provide chaplaincy services for their student body and decisions on such provision is a matter for the individual institutions as autonomous bodies. Chaplaincy services can be provided by way of either the appointment of a chaplain as a member of staff of the relevant institution or by the provision by the diocese/other appropriate body of a chaplaincy service by way of a contract for services. The recruitment of staff is also a matter for individual higher education institutions, however, it should be in line with public sector appointment criteria and the provisions of the Employment Control Framework for the sector. Officials of my Department have been in discussions with the HEA in relation to this matter and it has been agreed that the HEA will undertake a survey on the recruitment of chaplaincy services within the institutions.
