Institutes of Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 April 2021

Wednesday, 21 April 2021

Questions (1275, 1276, 1277, 1327)

Alan Dillon

Question:

1275. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied with the work of the Higher Education Authority and the subcommittee of the governing body of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology on their management oversight and development of the Mayo campus taskforce implementation plan; and his views on whether the recommendations progressed and the changes implemented realised their targeted impact in making the Mayo campus more financially viable into the future. [18465/21]

Alan Dillon

Question:

1276. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the ring-fenced funding provided by the Higher Education Authority of €750,000 per annum used in 2018, 2019 and 2020 was only used to reduce the ongoing annual deficits incurred at the Mayo campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18466/21]

Alan Dillon

Question:

1277. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the mid-term review report of the independent assessor of the Mayo campus taskforce implementation will be published; the details of the HEA Finance and Governance Committee findings on this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18468/21]

Alan Dillon

Question:

1327. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the details that were submitted to the Higher Education Authority on the long-term sustainable future for the Mayo campus detailed by the governing body of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19646/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1275, 1276, 1277 and 1327 together.

As the Deputy is aware the Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) Working Group was established in March 2017. The key objective of this group was to develop a plan to develop a sustainable future for the Mayo Campus arising from concerns about the financial viability of the campus. The Governing Authority of GMIT in consultation with the HEA have responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations of the report to promote the future sustainability of the Mayo Campus as an integral part of GMIT in the North West Region. The report of the Working Group advised that a Mid Term Review of the recommendations of the GMIT Working Group Report be undertaken. The Terms of Reference for the mid-term review were approved by the HEA and Mazars were appointed as the independent assessor for the review.

My Department and the HEA are continuing to work closely with GMIT to ensure that all of the recommendations of the report are progressed. The working group report acknowledged the complexities and the necessary implementation time required for a number of the recommendations.

I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department and the HEA will continue to work with GMIT on ensuring that the recommendations of the Working Group are implemented as soon as possible, and with appropriate consultation with relevant stakeholders, to ensure the future sustainability of the Mayo campus.

The report of the independent assessor in relation to the mid-term review is scheduled to be presented to the HEA’s Finance and Governance Committee on 18th May 2021. I will advise the Deputy of the updated position from the HEA pending assessment of the report.