Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1463. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for stakeholder engagement regarding the higher education authority Bill 2022 prior to the legislation concluding Report Stage in Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40850/22]
View answerThe extensive consultation process undertaken by the Department has been a central element of the development of the legislation. This includes ongoing engagement with the key stakeholders. The views of stakeholders have been sought on all of the key issues and the approach has been to make clear the policy objectives and reforms are understood and, to the greatest extent possible, supported by stakeholders.
Consultation commenced in July 2018, with three formal consultation processes, in 2018, 2019 and 2021. To augment these consultations, a number of focused stakeholder meetings were held including with Higher Education Authority, Irish Universities Association (IUA), Technological Higher Education Association (THEA), Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Congress of Trade Union (ICTU). The key issues raised by the stakeholders were taken into account in the General Scheme of a Bill which was approved by Government in May 2021.
The general scheme was scrutinised by the Joint committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under the pre-legislative scrutiny process between July and September 2021. The Joint Committee invited a wide range of stakeholders to make written submissions on the General Scheme of the Bill and oral hearings were held by the Committee in July 2021. Many of the recommendations made by the committee in the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny report have been included in the HEA legislation.
There was further engagement with the key stakeholders including the HEA, IUA, THEA and USI following the receipt of the Report on the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021. The views of the key stakeholders were considered prior to the finalisation of the Bill.
The Bill also received significant changes as it passed through the Dáil at the request of T.D.s. following engagement with stakeholders and members of the Oireachtas. A total of 179 amendments were made at Committee Stage (97 amendments) and Report stage (82 amendments). It is considered that these amendments have strengthened the Bill and that the Bill represents an important milestone in providing for a high quality, student centred higher education sector.
My officials and I have also engaged with Senators on the legislative provisions within the Bill prior to Report Stage in Seanad Éireann. Report Stage is currently scheduled to be resumed on 14th September 2022.
