Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
472. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the HEA in relation to a GMIT decision to redeploy the GMIT Mayo campus business department to Galway with staff now reporting to Galway management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30923/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra473. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date on which a decision will be made on a permanent vice president for the GMIT Mayo campus; the date on which he plans to fill this post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30924/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra474. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the working group’s recommendations published in 2018, in tabular form (details supplied); the status of each recommendation over the period 2018 to 2022; when a review of progress at the end of year two will be completed by the HEA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30925/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra475. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the formal progress reports submitted to the GMIT governing body and the HEA every four months since the establishment of the working group’s recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30926/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra476. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure associated with the ring-fenced yearly funding of €750,000 for the GMIT Mayo campus that was allocated from 2018 to 2022 while the working group’s plan is being implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30927/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 472 to 476, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will be aware a 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 contained 33 recommendations for implementation and a status report on the recommendations in tabular form is attached.
Terms of reference for the mid-term review have been approved by the HEA and Mazars have been appointed as the independent assessor for the review. The report of the independent assessor will be presented to the HEA’s Finance and Governance Committee by the end of Q1 2021.
I can confirm that Professor Neville McClenaghan took up the post of Vice-President GMIT Mayo Campus in February 2019.
One of the key recommendations was the establishment of a sub-committee of the Governing Body of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) to oversee the management and development of the Mayo Campus. This sub-committee was established in early 2018 and has given campus issues more focus from a governance perspective and also facilitated the involvement of regional stakeholders.
The Mayo Campus is a regular item on the agenda of the Governing Body of GMIT, the following are some significant items recently addressed by the Governing Body:
- A Strategic Framework for the Mayo campus approved by Governing body
- Report form Mayo Campus Subcommittee
- Presentation by the President Dr. Orla Flynn on the Strategic Framework.
- Approval of revised Terms of Reference for Mayo Campus Subcommittee.
In addition the Mayo Campus is a regular item for discussion at the Governing body Finance Subcommittee and the Audit & Risk Committee. The Mayo Sub Committee of the GMIT Governing Body has met on 16 occasions since the publication of the report.
GMIT submits discrete budgetary reports on the Mayo Campus to the HEA. The Mayo campus is a standing item on meetings between GMIT and the HEA; the CEO of the HEA met with the President of GMIT in June 2020 at which the campus was discussed.
At the time of publication of the report in 2017, overall expenditure in the Mayo campus was estimated at c.€2.4m over income. While implementation of the plan will assist in the reduction the deficit incurred by the Mayo campus, the plan will naturally take time to come to fruition. Interim ring-fenced funding of €750,000 per annum for five years was awarded to support the costs of the Mayo campus for a fixed time period as the plan is implemented and as the campus hopefully moves to a more financially sustainable position. Additionally GMIT receives ring-fenced funding annually under the HEA’s Multi-campus funding initiative.
My Department also provided €2m in funding arising from the recommendations to provide building works on the Mayo campus which is a strong demonstration of the commitment to its future development and growth.
I have been assured that GMIT is fully committed to multi-disciplinary provision at its Mayo campus and this includes business, but is also examining opportunities arising from the growing critical mass and expertise on the campus in health care and wellbeing to protect the future sustainability of the campus.
I am also assured that the Mayo campus of GMIT is an integral part of the Institute with the development and success of the Mayo campus a priority for the Governing Body and executive leadership of GMIT.
Given its location and hinterland alongside that of IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT – GMIT’s partners in the Connaught Ulster Alliance consortium in establishment of a proposed multi-campus Technological University spanning the West and North West – the development and success of the Mayo campus remains a priority for the Governing Body and executive leadership of GMIT. The creation of a Technological University by the Connaught Ulster Alliance will provide enormous opportunities for all stakeholders in the region, including those in Mayo.
I understand GMIT, following engagement with Mayo campus staff over an extended period, is undertaking a strategic reorganisation process as part a critical element of the transformation process required to realise these benefits from TU designation.
I also understand the GMIT President has confirmed that the intention of this process is to enhance offerings and services, not diminish them. I am very supportive of the continued success of the Mayo Campus as part of the future of GMIT and progression towards TU designation.
It is vital for GMIT and the future TU to offer an integrated service to all stakeholders working across the region and acting as one. All GMIT schools are intended to have a GMIT-wide remit including Mayo, Galway and beyond. The strategic re-positioning of GMIT now underway encompasses the commitment to ensure the long-term sustainability and future development of the Mayo Campus.
