Alan Kelly: Government needs a lesson on issues in education

The HEA is short members and plans to merge some institutes of technology are advancing despite concerns. The education minister must step up, writes Alan Kelly

Higher education institutions within Ireland have served the State well and have shown themselves to be at the forefront of both research and teaching excellence in recent years. However, as publically funded institutions, there are a number of serious questions that have been raised in recent months regarding effective governance within these institutions and effective regulation of the sector as a whole.

Recent media investigations and appearances by representatives of the higher education sector before the public accounts committee (PAC) have left many questions unanswered and to my mind raise serious concerns over the effective governance of both our universities and institutes of technology. Questions must be asked not only of our higher education institutions but also of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Education and Skills.