23 Sep 2015, 13:09
The Public Accounts Committee will as part of its business tomorrow examine the Report on ‘Engagement and Consultation Process on a Technological University for the South-East, 2015’ (commonly referred to as the “Kelly Report”).
23rd September 2015
Chairman of the Committee, John Mc Guinness TD, in welcoming the Kelly report outlined its importance in getting the proposal to set up a Technological University for the South East.
“In 2014, the proposed merger of WIT and ITC to form the a new Technological University came off the tracks and the engagement of Michael Kelly was necessary to review why the process stalled, and to see what steps are necessary to get it back on track. The Committee will be keen to assess how the process can be assisted, as there is a clear need in the region for a TU”
The Committee will also examine GMIT and the HEA arising from expenditure of €436,060 on a review of the handling of an incident of plagiarism at the institute.
“Committee members will wish to discuss the costs associated with this review as well as the fact that this review found that the initial investigation was fit for purpose. There were serious shortcomings that allowed this amount of money to be spent at a time when third level institutions are struggling with their finances. The Committee will want to know how this happened”.
The Committee will meet at 10am in Committee Room 3 tomorrow Thursday 24th September 2015.
The principal witnesses are:
• Seán Ó Foghlú, Secretary General, Department of Education and Skills;
• Tom Boland, Chief Executive, Higher Education Authority;
• Jim Fennell, Interim President GMIT;
• Michael Kelly, author of “Kelly Report”.
Public proceedings can be followed live here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
ENDS
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Committee Membership:
Chairman: John McGuinness (Fianna Fáil)
Deputies:
Áine Collins, Fine Gael
Paul J. Connaughton, Fine Gael
Joe Costello, Labour Party
John Deasy, Fine Gael
Robert Dowds, Labour Party
Seán Fleming, Fianna Fáil
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin
Gabrielle McFadden, Fine Gael
Derek Nolan, Labour Party
Patrick O’Donovan, Fine Gael
John Perry, Fine Gael
Shane Ross, Independent