MINISTER FOR Education Ruairí Quinn has strongly criticised the seven university presidents for their delay in bringing forward new proposals on the points system.
In an unprecedented critique of the college heads, he has also condemned the “failure in governance’’ by some universities which resulted in unauthorised payments of more than €8 million to senior staff.
He has advised the presidents to be much more accountable. “Otherwise the perception that public money is being misused will gain even greater credence,’’ he said.
The comments by Mr Quinn reflect his growing impatience with some college heads who he sees as running their own agenda instead of working to overhaul the system.
Last September, college heads – who have been vocal critics of the Leaving Cert exam – promised to bring forward proposals for reform.
“For the past few months I have been told regularly that a report from the university sector on what changes are planned is imminent. There is still no sign of it and I have to express my disappointment at the delay by the university sector in coming forward with concrete plans for change,” Mr Quinn told the presidents at a meeting on Monday.
“I am not the only one impatient for change on this issue. So also are students and their parents,’’ he said.
Mr Quinn also urged the presidents to “put aside individual institutional ambition and come together as a [higher education] system to offer a clear road map’’.
The Minister also made references to a recent report from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) which found more than €8 million in unauthorised allowances were paid to senior university staff between June 2005 and February 2011. UCD overpaid staff by €3.6 million, UCC had an overrun of € 1.6 million while TCD paid €1.5 million in unapproved allowances.
He told the college heads: “You must also be aware that there is an issue with public perception in this area. Last week’s report from the CAG and the reaction to it show the challenges you face in convincing a sceptical public that their hard-earned taxes are being used to best effect.’’ A spokesman for the university presidents said the report on college entry would be with the Minister “within weeks’’. He said this required careful consideration.
Ned Costello of the Irish Universities Association expressed disappointment that the key issue of funding for higher education did not feature more prominently at the meeting with the Minister.
Review and reaction to yesterday’s exam papers: page 5
