An insiders guide to education

* Here's an interesting one. What is the Government's plan for Michael Kelly, the chairman of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) whose two-year term expires early next year?

Kelly, you will recall, is the former secretary general of the Department of Health who was parachuted into the HEA. His HEA post followed publication of the Travers report on the illegal charges levied on patients in public nursing homes and other long-stay facilities.

The appointment caused dismay in education circles as the Government and the landmark OECD report on third-level had both argued for a part-time chairman.

In fairness, Kelly has been a highly regarded chairman who has allowed HEA boss Tom Boland to get on with the job. But will he be the last full-time chairman of the HEA?

*Employment news. Some key jobs are waiting to be filled in education. They include Roger Downer's successor as president of UL and Paul Kelly's replacement as assistant secretary of the Department of Education

The Irish University Association - the group representing the seven university presidents - is also looking for someone to replace the incomparable Michael McGrath when he retires as chief executive. Warning - this will not be easy. McGrath, a former senior Department of Education official has knowledge, insight and a sense of humour. Other senior education figures please copy.

*This from a very senior academic figure on controversial UCD boss Hugh Brady. "Brady is the Roy Keane of the university sector. He doles out the crunch tackles and then wonders, in all innocence, why he has provoked such a storm. But then Keano is also a class act."

*More on the battle to succeed Jim Dorney out at the Teachers' Union of Ireland. To cut to the chase . . . three candidates are emerging - Declan Glynn, Peter McMenamin and John MacGabhainn.

The good news? All three are outstanding figures, widely admired across the education sector.

Glynn, so strong on the discipline issue, is the current frontrunner. But these are early days.

E-mail us at teacherspet@irish-times.ie