Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 February 2017
254. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the diminishing of terms and conditions of employment of both academic and administrative staff in Trinity College (details supplied); and if so, his plans regarding same. [6004/17]
View answerIn line with the Universities Act, 1997, third-level institutions have autonomy in relation to human resource policies, subject to compliance with Government policy in respect of employment numbers and pay policy. Employers in the higher education sector are also required to operate in accordance with the provisions of national industrial relations agreements. My Department is not aware of any instance in which Trinity College Dublin is not operating in accordance with good practice in relation to work and contract conditions. In the event that a union has concerns regarding work and contract conditions among staff in any university, that union can seek to have the matter addressed using the dispute resolution procedures provided for in the Haddington Road Agreement, and any individuals who have issues of dispute have a variety of dispute resolution options open to them.
