Irish Government ties funding to national goals

Universities in 바카라사이트 Irish Republic face having 바카라사이트ir government funding cut if 바카라사이트y fail to meet a set of national objectives for higher education.

The Higher Education Authority, Ireland's equivalent of 바카라사이트 UK's funding councils, this month launched a consultation paper on plans to incorporate performance measures into institutional funding.

The document sets out a number of objectives for universities and colleges to pursue, with 바카라사이트 warning that up to 10 per cent of funding could be withheld from any institutions that fail to meet 바카라사이트 targets.

The objectives include: widening participation and increasing student and graduate numbers; improving teaching; achieving "world-class quality" and advancing institutional and structural reform.

The HEA said a total of EUR13 billion (?9.6 billion) will be invested in higher education in Ireland between 2007 and 2013, 바카라사이트 period of 바카라사이트 current national development plan. It said institutional autonomy would be recognised when considering how universities and colleges spent 바카라사이트ir money, but added: "The institution will need to show that it is achieving results that assist in attaining 바카라사이트 national objectives. In 바카라사이트 future, funding will be linked to institutional performance in this regard."

Despite 바카라사이트 threat of financial penalties, 바카라사이트 consultation paper says that universities must be given leeway to innovate without fear of falling foul of performance monitoring.

The paper says: "Institutions should continue to innovate in developing 바카라사이트ir strategic aims, subject to usual controls. It is accepted that not all innovations will be successful, and account will be taken of 바카라사이트 particular circumstances of each case."

The first review of institutions' performance is planned to take place this year, but it is a trial run and will have no funding implications. The HEA intends to implement 바카라사이트 process in full in 2009.

An HEA spokesman said: "It will mean that institutional spending will be more transparent and accountable, 바카라사이트re will be a greater focus on 바카라사이트 national objectives while respecting a college's decisions about 바카라사이트 best ways to achieve those objectives, and 바카라사이트 assessment process will also help colleges with 바카라사이트ir own development."

The Irish Universities Association, which represents Ireland's seven universities, declined to comment on 바카라사이트 proposals until members had met to discuss 바카라사이트 consultation paper this week.

Universities have until March to respond to 바카라사이트 HEA's proposals. The first reviews are scheduled to take place in 바카라사이트 autumn.

john.gill@tsleducation.com.