Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
419. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his nominees to the board of South East Technological University will participate and play an active role in the ongoing process to deliver a short list of candidate names suitable for interview for the new position of president (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13011/22]
View answer420. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the selection process for the Technological University Dublin, Munster Technological University and the Technological University of the Shannon consisted of a shortlisting of candidates undertaken by a company (details supplied) followed by two further selection interviews; if this is the process that will be followed for the selection of a new president to the South East Technological University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13020/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 419 and 420 together.
On 21st of February I announced the Chairperson and two ordinary members of the first governing body of the South East Technological University. These individuals will attend the current Joint Governing Body TU Steering Committee in advance of the establishment of the TU, as outlined in the candidate information booklet issued as part of my Department's public process seeking expressions of interest for the positions.
In designating TU status on IT Carlow and Waterford IT last month I requested the governing bodies of the Institutes to immediately proceed to initiate a process by way of open competition for the identification of a suitable candidate or candidates that I can consider designating to the post of first president of the new TU upon its establishment.
It remains a matter for the governing bodies as to how precisely they organise the said open competition., including the number and composition of any committees or boards involved in the identification and nomination processes.
Similar processes previously undertaken by TU development consortia are understood to have all involved an external recruitment consultant or executive recruitment agency to assist the governing bodies of the Institutes involved in the relevant processes. The procurement and tasking of such consultants or agencies are matters for those governing bodies.
