Off On Dualscroll
Turn Dualscroll on to scroll both language versions together.
Uimhir 25 de 1980
ACHT AN FHORAIS NÁISIÚNTA UM ARD-OIDEACHAS, LUIMNEACH, 1980
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
tá le “an Chomhairle Acadúil” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 8 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “cúrsa ar leibhéal teastais”, cúrsa staidéir a dtiocfadh dá chionn Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais do dhámhadh teastais;
ciallaíonn “cathaoirleach” cathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais;
ciallaíonn “cúrsa ar leibhéal céime” cúrsa staidéir a dtiocfadh dá chionn Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais do dhámhadh céime;
ciallaíonn “leaschathaoirleach” leaschathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais;
ciallaíonn “cúrsa ar leibhéal dioplóma” cúrsa staidéir a dtiocfadh dá chionn Comhlacht Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais do dhámhadh dioplóma;
tá le “Stiúrthóir” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 7 den Acht seo;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “an Comhlacht Ceannais” Comhlacht Ceannais an Fhorais;
ciallaíonn “an Foras” an Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach, arna bhunú de bhun alt 2 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Oideachais;
ciallaíonn “an tÚdarás” an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas.
(2) Folaíonn tagairt san Acht seo d'fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh tagairt do chumhachtaí a fheidhmiú agus do dhualgais a chomhlíonadh.
Bunú an Fhorais.
2.—(1) Bunófar, de bhua an ailt seo, foras ard-oideachais de réir bhrí Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, ar a dtabharfar an Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach, agus sa Bhéarla the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Beidh an Foras ina chomhlacht corpraithe agus comharbas suthain aige agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige agus beidh sé inagartha faoina ainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aige talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
Comhaltas an Fhorais.
3.—(1) Gach duine—
(a) ar comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais é,
(b) ar comhalta den Chomhairle Acadúil é,
(c) ar comhalta d'fhoireann an Fhorais é,
(d) ar mac léinn cláraithe de chuid an Fhorais é, nó
(e) ar céimí de chuid an Fhorais é,
beidh sé ina chomhalta den Fhoras.
(2) Faoi réir fho-alt (3) den alt seo, ní bheidh aon duine ina chomhalta den Fhoras mura rud é, an tráth a mbeidh sé ina chomhalta, go mbeidh sé cáilithe le haghaidh comhaltais de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo.
(3) D'ainneoin fhorálacha fho-alt (2) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, ó am go ham, comhaltas den Fhoras a thabhairt do dhuine nach mbeidh cáilithe le haghaidh comhaltais de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo, agus beidh aon duine den sórt sin ina chomhalta den Fhoras go dtí go ndearbhóidh an Comhlacht Ceannais a mhalairt.
Feidhmeanna an Fhorais.
4.—(1) Is iad seo feidhmeanna an Fhorais—
(a) cúrsaí ar leibhéal céime, cúrsaí ar leibhéal dioplóma agus cúrsaí ar leibhéal teastais agus, faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a fhorordóidh an tAire, cibé cúrsaí eile, lena n-áirítear cúrsaí iarchéime, is cuí leis an gComhlacht Ceannais a chur ar fáil;
(b) gabháil do thaighde i cibé réimsí a mheasfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais a bheith cuí;
(c) faoi réir cheadú an Aire, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Údarás—
(i) tailte nó foirgnimh a cheannach agus a fháil,
(ii) scoláireachtaí, duaiseanna agus dámhachtaintí eile a thionscnamh agus, má cheaptar gur cuí é, iad a dhámhadh;
(d) faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a fhorordóidh an tAire, airgead agus sócmhainní uile an Fhorais a chothabháil, a bhainistí, a riar agus a infheistiú;
(e) bronntanais talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ó dheontóirí ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a bheidh sonraithe ag na deontóirí: ar choinníoll nach mbeidh aon ní in aon iontaobhas nó coinníoll contrártha d'fhorálacha an Achta seo;
(f) faoi réir cibé coinníollacha a fhorordóidh an tAire, gach gníomh agus ní a dhéanamh is gá chun cuspoirí agus forbairt an Fhorais a chur chun cinn.
(2) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire le hordú, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, cibé feidhmeanna breise a mheasfaidh sé is cuí a shannadh don Fhoras.
(b) Aon uair a bheartaítear ordú a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo, leagfar dréacht den ordú atá beartaithe faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag dhá Theach an Oireachtais.
(3) Féadfaidh an tAire, le hordú, ordú faoin alt seo, lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo, a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
An Comhlacht Ceannais.
5.—(1) Beidh Comhlacht Ceannais ar an bhForas a chomhlíonfaidh, ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt leis an Acht seo, na feidhmeanna go léir a thugtar don Fhoras leis an Acht seo.
(2) Is iad comhaltaí an Chomhlachta Ceannais cathaoirleach, an Stiúrthóir agus 23 ghnáthchomhalta.
(3) Is é an Rialtas, ar mholadh ón Aire, a cheapfaidh na chéad chomhaltaí den Chomhlacht Ceannais agus beidh siad i seilbh oifige ar feadh tréimhse bliana ó dháta a gceaptha.
(4) Ar théarma oifige na gcéad chomhaltaí den Chomhlacht Ceannais a bheith caite, ceapfaidh an Rialtas na 23 ghnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht sin, ar mholadh ón Aire, ar an tslí seo a leanas:
(a) déanfar naonúr de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire de réir fhorálacha fho-alt (5) den alt seo;
(b) déanfar triúr de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar comhaltaí d'fhoireann acadúil an Fhorais iad a bheidh tofa ag an bhfoireann acadúil de réir rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais;
(c) déanfar duine amháin de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar comhalta d'fhoireann neamhacadúil an Fhorais é a bheidh tofa de réir rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais;
(d) déanfar beirt de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mic léinn lánaimsire de chuid an Fhorais iad a bheidh tofa de réir rialacháin arna ndéanamh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais;
(e) déanfar triúr de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Chomhlacht Ceannais Choláiste Oideachais Thuamhumhan, Luimneach;
(f) déanfar beirt de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire as líon comhaltaí fhoireann teagaisc Ceard-Choláistí Réigiúnacha;
(g) déanfar beirt de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire as líon comhaltaí Bhoird Bhainistíochta Ceard-Choláistí Réigiúnacha; agus
(h) déanfar duine amháin de na comhaltaí sin a cheapadh amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Chomhlacht Ceannais an Fhorais Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Baile Átha Cliath.
(5) Sula ndéanfaidh an tAire aon mholadh chun daoine a cheapadh ar Chomhlacht Ceannais an Fhorais de bhun fho-alt (4) (a) den alt seo, beidh aird aige ar a mhéid is ceart tionscal, talmhaíocht, iascach, tráchtáil, na gairmeacha, foireann an Fhorais nó foireann aon choláiste nó comhlachta dá dtagraítear san fho-alt sin (4) ionadaíocht a bheith acu ar an gComhlacht Ceannais.
(6) (a) Má éagann comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais, má scoireann sé nó má chuirtear as oifig é ar shlí eile de bhun an Achta seo sula n-éagfaidh a théarma oifige, líonfar an folúntas a tharlóidh amhlaidh—
(i) más ar mholadh ón Aire a ceapadh an duine sin, tríd an Rialtas do cheapadh duine a bheidh molta ag an Aire, nó
(ii) más de bhun mhíreanna (b), (c), (d), (e) nó (h) d'fho-alt (4) den alt seo a ceapadh an duine sin, tríd an Rialtas do cheapadh duine a bheidh cáilithe de réir na míreanna sin.
(b) Duine a cheapfar ar an gComhlacht Ceannais de bhun mhír (a) den fho-alt seo beidh sé i seilbh oifige, mura túisce a éagfaidh sé, a éireoidh sé as oifig nó a thiocfaidh sé chun bheith dícháilithe chun oifig a shealbhú, ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha den tréimhse a mbeadh an comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas, dá leanfadh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den sórt sin, i seilbh oifige ar a feadh.
(7) Bainfidh forálacha an Chéad Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht seo leis an gComhlacht Ceannais.
Feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta Ceannais.
6.—(1) Ach amháin mar a fhoráiltear a mhalairt san Acht seo, déanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais gnóthaí agus maoin uile an Fhorais a bhainistí agus a rialú agus comhlíonfaidh sé na feidhmeanna go léir a thugtar don Fhoras leis an Acht seo, agus beidh aige na cumhachtaí go léir is gá faoin Acht seo chun na críche sin.
(2) Féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais ó am go ham cibé coistí agus cibé méid coistí is cuí leis a cheapadh chun cabhrú leis i cibé slí a ordóidh an Comhlacht Ceannais agus féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais cibé dualgais is cuí leis a shannadh d'aon choiste a cheapfar amhlaidh.
(3) Beidh gníomhartha choiste arna bhunú faoin alt seo faoi réir a ndaingnithe ag an gComhlacht Ceannais mura ndéanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais an riachtanas le daingniú den sórt a ligean thar ceal.
An Stiúrthóir.
7.—(1) Déanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, le ceadú an Aire, duine a cheapadh ó am go ham i gcáil lánaimsire chun bheith ina phríomhoifigeach don Fhoras agus “an Stiúrthóir” a ghairtear den oifigeach sin san Acht seo.
(2) Bainfidh forálacha an Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo leis an Stiúrthóir.
An Chomhairle Acadúil.
8.—(1) Ceapfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais comhlacht daoine ar a dtabharfar agus dá ngairtear san Acht seo “an Chomhairle Acadúil” chun cabhrú leis an gComhlacht Ceannais saothar oideachais an Fhorais a phleanáil, a chomhordú, a fhorbairt agus a mhaoirseacht.
(2) Féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais le rialacháin a dhéanfar faoin alt seo, foráil a dhéanamh do chomhaltas agus téarmaí oifige na Comhairle Acadúla a bhunófar de bhun fho-alt (1) den alt seo.
(3) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, beidh na feidhmeanna sonracha seo a leanas ag an gComhairle Acadúil, is é sin le rá—
(a) cláir iomchuí staidéir a cheapadh, a fhorbairt agus a chur i ngníomh.
(b) moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Chomhlachta Ceannais chun gréasáin iomchuí a bhunú chun na cláir staidéir dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo a chur i ngníomh,
(c) moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Chomhlachta Ceannais maidir le cláir chun taighde a fhorbairt,
(d) moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Chomhlachta Ceannais chun mic léinn a roghnú, a ligean isteach, a choimeád agus a choinneáil amach,
(e) rialacháin acadúla an Fhorais a dhéanamh faoi réir cheadú an Chomhlachta Ceannais agus iad a chur i ngníomh,
(f) foirm na rialachán a bheidh le déanamh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais chun scrúduithe a sheoladh, agus chun dul chun cinn acadúil a mheas, a mholadh don Chomhlacht Ceannais,
(g) moltaí a chur faoi bhráid an Chomhlachta Ceannais chun ánrachtaí, scoláireachtaí, sparánachtaí, duaiseanna nó dámhachtaintí eile a dhámhadh,
(h) socruithe ginearálta a dhéanamh le haghaidh comhairlithe teagaisc nó comhairlithe acadúil eile,
(i) aon fheidhmeanna eile a fheidhmiú, de réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, a tharmligfidh an Comhlacht Ceannais chuige, agus
(j) aon rialacháin a chur i ngníomh a dhéanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais maidir le haon ábhar de na hábhair a dúradh.
(4) Féadfaidh an Comhlacht Acadúil, le ceadú an Chomhlachta Ceannais—
(a) cibé coistí agus cibé méid coistí is cuí leis a bhunú, arb é a bheidh iontu ar fad nó go páirteach daoine nach comhaltaí den Fhoras, chun cabhrú leis an gComhairle Acadúil ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna di faoin Acht seo, agus
(b) feidhmeanna aon choiste a bhunófar faoi mhír (a) den fho-alt seo a shocrú, faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo.
(5) Beidh gníomhartha choiste a bhunófar faoi fho-alt (4) (a) den alt seo faoi réir a ndaingnithe ag an gComhlacht Ceannais mura ndéanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais an riachtanas le daingniú den sórt sin a ligean thar ceal.
(6) Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo agus faoi réir threoracha an Chomhlachta Ceannais, féadfaidh an Chomhairle Acadúil a nós imeachta féin a rialáil.
Oifigigh agus seirbhísigh.
9.—(1) Féadfaidh an Foras cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina n-oifigigh (i dteannta an Stiúrthóra) agus ina seirbhísigh dó is cuí leis ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Beidh oifigeach (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) nó seirbhíseach don Fhoras i seilbh a oifige nó a fhostaíochta ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Foras ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(3) Ní dhéanfaidh an Foras aon oifigeach dá chuid (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) a chur as oifig nó a fhionraí gan toiliú an Aire.
(4) Féadfaidh an Foras cibé feidhm dá chuid is cuí leis a chomhlíonadh trí aon duine dá oifigigh nó dá sheirbhísigh a bheidh údaraithe go cuí chuige sin ag an bhForas.
(5) Íocfaidh an Foras lena oifigigh (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) agus lena sheirbhísigh cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh an Foras ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
Foireann aistrithe.
10.—(1) Déanfar gach duine lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir atá, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, fostaithe go lánaimseartha ag an gcomhlacht dá ngairtear an Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach, a aistriú ar an tosach feidhme sin chun an Fhorais agus tiocfaidh sé chun bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach, de réir mar is iomchuí, don Fhoras agus na daoine go léir a aistreofar amhlaidh beidh siad, fad a fhanfaidh siad i bhfostaíocht an Fhorais, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann aistrithe an Fhorais agus “foireann aistrithe an Fhorais” a ghairtear díobh san Acht seo.
(2) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (4) den alt seo, ní bhfaighidh comhalta d'fhoireann aistrithe an Fhorais, fad a bheidh sé i bhfostaíocht an Fhorais, luach saothair is lú, ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir coinníollacha seirbhíse is lú tairbhe, ná an luach saothair a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus a raibh teideal aige chuige agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire agus a raibh sé faoina réir de bhua an chomhaltais sin sa tseirbhís ónar aistríodh é de bhua an ailt seo.
(b) Na coinníollacha seirbhíse, na sriantachtaí, na ceanglais agus na hoibleagáidí a raibh comhalta d'fhoireann aistrithe an Fhorais faoina réir de bhua an chomhaltais sin díreach sular aistríodh chun seirbhís an Fhorais é, bainfidh siad i gcónaí leis mura n-athrófar iad le comhaontú, agus féadfaidh an Foras nó an Stiúrthóir, de réir mar is iomchuí, iad a fheidhmiú nó a fhorchur fad a bheidh sé i seirbhís an Fhorais.
(3) Ní bheidh comhalta d'fhoireann aistrithe an Fhorais, fad a bheidh sé i seirbhís an Fhorais, faoi réir coinníollacha is lú fabhar i ndáil le haoisliúntais a dheonú (cibé acu le cnapshuim, pinsean nó aisce nó cúiteamh i leith cailleadh oifige) ná na coinníollacha a bhí ceadaithe ag an Aire le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus a bhain leis de bhua an chomhaltais sin díreach sular aistríodh é de bhua an ailt seo chun an Fhorais.
(4) (a) Féadfaidh an Foras, tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh le haon chomhlachais foirne aitheanta nó le haon cheardchumainn lena mbaineann, athdháileadh nó athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar na dualgais a bheidh le comhlíonadh ag comhaltaí d'fhoireann aistrithe an Fhorais a fhostaítear i ngrád nó in aicme áirithe fostaíochta agus beidh de cheangal ar gach comhalta den sórt sin na dualgais a chuirfear air in aon athdháileadh nó athchóiriú den sórt sin a chomhlíonadh.
(b) Ní mheasfar gur cur as oifig ná díothú oifige chun críche aon scéim nó achtachán a bhaineann le haoisliúntais nó le cúiteamh i leith cailleadh oifige athdháileadh nó athchóiriú dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo.
Aoisliúntais.
11.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis dáta an Achta seo a rith, ullmhóidh an Foras agus cuirfidh faoi bhráid an Aire, faoi réir fhorálacha alt 10 (3) den Acht seo, scéim nó scéimeanna chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú do cibé líon dá fhoireann (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) is cuí leis an bhForas, nó a dheonú ina leith, ar scor dóibh nó ar iad d'fháil bháis.
(2) Socróidh gach scéim den sórt sin an tráth scoir agus na coinníollacha scoir do na daoine go léir a mbeidh pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais iníoctha leo nó ina leith faoin scéim agus féadfar tráthanna éagsúla agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(3) Féadfaidh an Foras tráth ar bith scéim a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire do leasú scéim a cuireadh faoi bhráid an Aire agus a ceadaíodh roimhe sin faoin alt seo.
(4) Déanfaidh an Foras scéim nó scéim leasaitheach a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire faoin alt seo, má cheadaíonn an tAire í le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, a chur i gcrích de réir a téarmaí.
(5) Má bhíonn aon díospóid ann i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ar aon phinsean, aisce nó liúntas is iníoctha de bhun scéim faoin alt seo, nó i dtaobh méid an chéanna, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire lena cinneadh, ach sin faoi réir chomhaontú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(6) Ní dheonóidh an Foras aon phinsean, aisce, liúntas ná íocaíocht eile do chomhalta dá fhoireann (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) ná ina leith ach amháin faoi réim agus de réir scéim faoin alt seo, ná ní dhéanfaidh an Foras aon chomhaontú gan ceadú an Aire, arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, chun pinsean, aisce, liúntas nó íocaíocht eile a chur ar fáil seachas ag an bhForas ar chomhalta dá fhoireann d'éirí as, do scor nó d'fháil bháis.
(7) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara go ndéanfar gach scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire agus a cheadófar faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a ceadaithe agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime, beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin, ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
Tuarascáil agus eolas don Aire.
12.—(1) Ullmhóidh an Comhlacht Ceannais agus cuirfidh sé faoi bhráid an Aire, a luaithe is féidir tar éis deireadh gach bliana acadúla, tuarascáil ar imeachtaí an Chomhlachta i gcaitheamh na bliana sin.
(2) Tabharfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais don Aire cibé eolas a iarrfaidh an tAire ó am go ham maidir le comhlíonadh feidhmeanna an Chomhlachta.
Deontais.
13.—Íocfaidh an tÚdarás leis an bhForas de réir alt 12 (2) d'Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, gach bliain, as airgead a gheobhaidh an tÚdarás faoi alt 12 (1) den Acht sin, deontas nó deontais ina mbeidh cibé méid nó méideanna is oiriúnach leis an Údarás.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
14.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Foras, i cibé foirm a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a fuair an Foras nó ar an gcaiteachas a thabhaigh sé, agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sé san fhoirm sin a dúradh cibé cuntais speisialta a ordóidh an tAire ó am go ham.
(2) Déanfaidh an Foras na cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste gach bliain lena n-iniúchadh, ar dháta nach déanaí ná an tríochadú lá d'Aibreán an bhliain tar éis na bliana lena mbaineann na cuntais agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfaidh an Foras cóip de na cuntais agus de cibé cuntais eile, más ann, a d'ordaigh an tAire a choimeád, mar aon le cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais, a thíolacadh don Aire.
(3) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de na cuntais a bheidh tíolactha dó faoin alt seo ag an bhForas, mar aon le cóipeanna de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste orthu, a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Táillí.
15.—Féadfaidh an Foras táillí nó muirir ar chead isteach ina mbeidh cibé méideanna a chinnfidh an Comhlacht Ceannais ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire a éileamh ar chúrsaí, léachtaí, scrúduithe, taisealbhaí nó aon teagmhas eile a sheolfaidh an Foras nó a sheolfar ann.
Caiteachais.
16.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
17.—(1) Féadfar Acht an Fhorais Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach, 1980, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
An Comhlacht Ceannais
1. (1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo, soláthróidh an comhlacht Ceannais, agus coimeádfaidh sé ina sheilbh, séala don Fhoras.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala an Fhorais le síniú an Chathaoirligh nó chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais a bheidh údaraithe ag an gComhlacht Ceannais gníomhú chuige sin mar aon le síniú oifigigh don Fhoras a bheidh údaraithe gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala an Fhorais agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an Foras agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (a airbheartóidh a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir an Sceidil seo) an Fhorais agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.
2. (1) Is é an Rialtas ar mholadh ón Aire a cheapfaidh cathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais agus féadfaidh an Rialtas é a chur as oifig ar mholadh ón Aire.
(2) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais, tráth ar bith, éirí as a oifig mar chathaoirleach trí litir a sheolfar chun an Aire agus glacfaidh an t-éirí-as éifeacht ón dáta ar a bhfaighfear an litir.
(3) Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, sealbhóidh cathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais oifig mar chathaoirleach ar cibé téarmaí a chinnfidh an Rialtas ar dháta a cheaptha.
(4) Scoirfidh cathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais d'oifig a shealbhú ar sheachtó bliain d'aois a shlánú.
3. (1) Is é an Rialtas, ar mholadh ón Aire a cheapfaidh gach gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais, agus féadfaidh an Rialtas é a chur as oifig ar mholadh ón Aire.
(2) Féadfaidh gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais, tráth ar bith, éirí as a oifig mar chomhalta den sórt sin trí litir a sheolfar chun an Aire agus glacfaidh an t-éirí-as éifeacht ón dáta ar a bhfaighfear an litir.
(3) Scoirfidh gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais d'oifig a shealbhú ar sheachtó bliain d'aois a shlánú.
(4) Beidh gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais a rachaidh a théarma oifige in éag trí imeacht aimsire inathcheaptha.
4. (1) Beidh gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais (lena n-áirítear an cathaoirleach ach gan gnáthchomhalta ar mac léinn cláraithe den Fhoras é a chur san áireamh) i seilbh oifige ar feadh tréimhse nach faide ná cúig bliana.
(2) Beidh gnáthchomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais ar mac léinn é i seilbh oifige ar feadh tréimhse bliana.
5. (1) Déanfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, ó am go ham de réir mar is gá sa chás, duine a cheapadh as líon a chomhaltaí (seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir) chun bheith ina leaschathaoirleach ar an gComhlacht.
(2) Beidh leaschathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais i seilbh oifige go dtí deireadh a thréimhse oifige mar chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais mura túisce a éireoidh sé as oifig an leaschathaoirligh nó a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina leaschathaoirleach faoi fhomhír (3) den mhír seo.
(3) I gcás leaschathaoirleach an Chomhlachta Ceannais do scor, le linn a théarma oifige mar leaschathaoirleach, de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais, scoirfidh sé ansin freisin de bheith ina leaschathaoirleach ar an gComhlacht Ceannais.
6. (a) I gcás maidir le comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais—
(i) go n-ainmneofar é mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas, nó go n-ainmneofar é lena thoghadh chun Tionól na gComhphobal Eorpach nó go gceapfar é le bheith ina ionadaí sa Tionól sin,
(ii) go mbreithneofar ina fhéimheach é nó go ndéanfaidh sé, faoi choimirce nó faoi nós imeachta cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe, nó
(iii) go gcuirfidh cúirt dlínse inniúla téarma príosúnachta air,
scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais.
(b) Ní bheidh duine i dteideal bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais—
(i) má bhíonn sé de thuras na huaire i dteideal, faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas, suí sa Teach sin,
(ii) má bhíonn sé de thuras na huaire ina ionadaí i dTionól na gComhphobal Eorpach,
(iii) más féimheach neamhurscaoilte é,
(iv) má rinne sé, sa tréimhse trí bliana díreach roimhe sin, faoi choimirce cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe, nó
(v) má chuir cúirt dlínse inniúla, sa tréimhse cúig bliana díreach roimhe sin, téarma príosúnachta air.
7. (1) Comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais—
(a) a bhfuil aon leas aige in aon chuideachta nó gnólacht lena mbeartaíonn an Foras aon chonradh a dhéanamh, nó
(b) a bhfuil aon leas aige in aon chonradh a bheartaíonn an Foras a dhéanamh,
nochtfaidh sé don Chomhlacht Ceannais go bhfuil an leas sin aige agus cad é an leas é agus ní ghlacfaidh sé aon pháirt in aon bhreithniú ná cinneadh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais maidir leis an gconradh, agus taifeadfar an nochtadh i miontuairiscí an Chomhlachta Ceannais.
(2) Comhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais a bhfuil gaol aige le duine is iarrthóir lena cheapadh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais mar oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Fhoras nochtfaidh sé don Chomhlacht Ceannais go bhfuil an gaol sin aige agus cad é an gaol é agus ní ghlacfaidh sé, má chinneann an Comhlacht Ceannais amhlaidh, aon pháirt in aon bhreithniú ná cinneadh ag an gComhlacht Ceannais maidir leis an gceapadh, agus taifeadfar an nochtadh agus an cinneadh i miontuairiscí an Chomhlachta Ceannais.
8. Íocfar le cathaoirleach agus le gnáthchomhaltaí an Chomhlachta Ceannais, as cistí a bheidh faoina réir ag an gComhlacht Ceannais, cibé luach saothair (más ann) agus cibé liúntais i leith caiteachas a chinnfidh an tAire le ceadú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
9. (1) Tionólfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Socróidh an tAire dáta, tráth agus ionad chéad-chruinniú an Chomhlachta Ceannais.
(3) Ochtar is córam do chruinniú den Chomhlacht Ceannais.
10. Ag cruinniú—
(a) is é an cathaoirleach, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(b) mura mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh an cathaoirleach i láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, is é an leaschathaoirleach, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(c) mura mbeidh agus fad nach mbeidh an cathaoirleach i láthair nó má bhíonn oifig an chathaoirligh folamh agus nach mbeidh an leaschathaoirleach i láthair nó go mbeidh oifig an leaschathaoirligh folamh, roghnóidh na comhaltaí den Chomhlacht Ceannais a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
11. Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Chomhlacht Ceannais a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás na vótaí a bheith roinnte go cothrom, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
12. Faoi réir Airteagal 9 (3) den Sceideal seo, féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais i measc a chomhaltaí.
13. Faoi réir fhorálacha an Achta seo, rialálfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, le buan-orduithe nó ar shlí eile, a nós imeachta agus a ghnó.
14. Rialóidh agus seolfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais gnóthaí an Fhorais agus comhlíonfaidh sé na feidhmeanna go léir a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo agus go háirithe, maidir leis an gComhlacht Ceannais—
(a) cinnfidh sé na coinníollacha ar fúthu a ligfear daoine isteach san Fhoras agus chuig aon chúrsa staidéir áirithe ann,
(b) cinnfidh sé na coinníollacha faoina bhféadfar mac léinn a bheidh ligthe isteach san Fhoras a choinneáil amach as,
(c) féadfaidh sé caidreamh a bhunú le hinstitiúidí eile ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Comhlacht Ceannais,
(d) féadfaidh sé comhoibriú le haon institiúid, údarás nó comhlacht eile chun aon chríche de chuid an Fhorais,
(e) faoi réir mhír (a) den Airteagal seo, féadfaidh sé glacadh, mar chomhlíonadh nó mar pháirtchomhlíonadh ar an gceanglas chun aon chúrsa staidéir a dhéanamh san Fhoras, le freastal a bheith déanta ag mac léinn ar chúrsa nó ar chuid de chúrsa i gCeard-Choláiste Réigiúnach nó i cibé institiúid eile a chinnfidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, agus
(f) féadfaidh sé cibé sainchomhairleoirí nó comhairleoirí a fhruiliú a mheasfaidh sé is gá lena fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh agus íocfaidh an Foras as airgead a bheidh faoina réir aige aon táillí a bheidh iníoctha le sainchomhairleoirí nó le comhairleoirí den sórt sin.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
An Stiúrthóir
1. Déanfaidh an Stiúrthóir, faoi réir orduithe an Chomhlachta Ceannais agus fhorálacha an Achta seo, gníomhaíochtaí an Fhorais a rialú agus a stiúradh agus foireann an Fhorais a rialú agus a stiúradh ag comhalladh na ngníomhaíochtaí sin dóibh.
2. Ní shealbhóidh an Stiúrthóir aon oifig ná post eile gan toiliú an Chomhlachta Ceannais.
3. Beidh an Stiúrthóir ina chomhalta, ex officio, den Chomhlacht Ceannais agus beidh sé i dteideal bheith ina chomhalta de gach coiste a cheapfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais.
4. Beidh an Stiúrthóir ina chomhalta, ex officio, den Chomhairle Acadúil agus, má bhíonn sé i láthair, beidh sé i gceannas ar gach cruinniú den Chomhairle Acadúil agus beidh sé i dteideal bheith ina chomhalta de gach coiste a cheapfaidh an Chomhairle Acadúil.
5. Is é an Comhlacht Ceannais a cheapfaidh gach Stiúrthóir, seachas an chéad Stiúrthóir, ach sin faoi réir cheadú an Aire.
6. Féadfaidh an Comhlacht Ceannais, le toiliú an Aire, an Stiúrthóir a chur as oifig.
7. Má bhíonn an duine a bheidh fostaithe, ar dháta an Achta seo a rith, mar Phríomh-Oifigeach ar an bhForas fostaithe amhlaidh fós ar thosach feidhme an Achta seo, is é an duine sin, má thoilíonn sé leis, a bheidh ina chéad Stiúrthóir.
8. I gcás an Stiúrthóir a bheith dícháilithe de bhua fhorálacha an Achta seo chun bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhlacht Ceannais, scoirfidh sé an tráth céanna freisin d'oifig an Stiúrthóra a shealbhú.
An tAcht dá dTagraítear | |
Number 25 of 1980
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, LIMERICK, ACT, 1980
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
The Governing Body
The Director
Number 25 of 1980
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, LIMERICK, ACT, 1980
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“the Academic Council” has the meaning assigned to it by section 8 of this Act;
“certificate level course” means a course of study leading to the award of a certificate by the National Council for Educational Awards;
“chairman” means the chairman of the Governing Body;
“degree level course” means a course of study leading to the award of a degree by the National Council for Educational Awards;
“deputy-chairman” means the deputy-chairman of the Governing Body;
“diploma level course” means a course of study leading to the award of a diploma by the National Council for Educational Awards;
“Director” has the meaning assigned to it by section 7 of this Act;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“the Governing Body” means the Governing Body of the Institute;
“the Institute” means the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, established pursuant to section 2 of this Act;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Education;
“An tÚdarás” means An tÚdáras um Ard-Oideachas.
(2) A reference in this Act to the performance of functions includes a reference to the exercise of powers and the performance of duties.
Establishment of Institute.
2.—(1) There shall, by virtue of this section, be established an institute of higher education within the meaning of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971, to be known as An Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach, and in the English language as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act.
(2) The Institute shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land.
Membership of Institute.
3.—(1) Every person who is—
(a) a member of the Governing Body,
(b) a member of the Academic Council,
(c) a member of the staff of the Institute,
(d) a registered student of the Institute, or
(e) a graduate of the Institute,
shall be a member of the Institute.
(2) Subject to subsection (3) of this section, no person shall be a member of the Institute unless at the time he is a member, he is qualified for membership pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (2) of this section, the Governing Body may, from time to time, confer membership of the Institute on a person who is not qualified for membership pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, and any such person shall be a member of the Institute until the Governing Body otherwise declare.
Functions of Institute.
4.—(1) The functions of the Institute shall be—
(a) to provide degree level courses, diploma level courses and certificate level courses and, subject to such conditions as the Minister may prescribe, such other courses, including post-graduate courses, as may seem appropriate to the Governing Body;
(b) to engage in research in such fields as the Governing Body may deem appropriate;
(c) subject to the approval of the Minister, after consultation with an tÚdarás—
(i) to buy and acquire lands or buildings,
(ii) to institute and, if thought fit, to award scholarships, prizes and other awards;
(d) subject to such conditions as the Minister may prescribe, to maintain, manage, administer and invest all the money and assets of the Institute;
(e) to accept from donors gifts of land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donors: provided that nothing in any trust or condition is contrary to the provisions of this Act;
(f) subject to such conditions as the Minister may prescribe, to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects and development of the Institute.
(2) (a) The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, by order assign to the Institute such additional functions as he thinks fit.
(b) Whenever an order is proposed to be made under this subsection, a draft of the proposed order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the Order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.
(3) The Minister may by order revoke or amend an order under this section including an order under this subsection.
Governing Body.
5.—(1) There shall be a Governing Body of the Institute which, save as otherwise provided by this Act, shall perform all the functions conferred on the Institute by this Act.
(2) The members of the Governing Body shall be a chairman, the Director and 23 ordinary members.
(3) The first members of the Governing Body shall be appointed by the Government, on the recommendation of the Minister, and shall hold office for a period of one year from the date of their appointment.
(4) After the expiration of the term of office of the first members of the Governing Body, the 23 ordinary members of that Body shall be appointed by the Government, on the recommendation of the Minister, in the following manner:
(a) nine of those members shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister in accordance with the provisions of subsection (5) of this section;
(b) three of those members shall be so appointed who shall be members of the academic staff of the Institute who shall be chosen by the academic staff in accordance with regulations made by the Governing Body;
(c) one of those members shall be so appointed who is a member of the non-academic staff of the Institute chosen in accordance with regulations made by the Governing Body;
(d) two of those members shall be so appointed who are full time students of the Institute chosen in accordance with regulations made by the Governing Body;
(e) three of those members shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Governing Body of Thomond College of Education, Limerick;
(f) two of those members shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister from members of the teaching staff of Regional Technical Colleges;
(g) two of those members shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister from members of the Management Boards of Regional Technical Colleges; and
(h) one of those members shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Governing Body of the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin.
(5) Before making any recommendation for appointment to the Governing Body of the Institute pursuant to subsection (4) (a) of this section, the Minister shall have regard to the extent to which industry, agriculture, fisheries, commerce, the professions, the staff of the Institute or the staff of any college or body referred to in the said subsection (4) should be represented on the Governing Body.
(6) (a) If a member of the Governing Body dies, retires or is otherwise removed from office pursuant to this Act before the expiration of his term of office, the vacancy so caused shall be filled—
(i) if such person was appointed on the recommendation of the Minister, by the appointment by the Government of a person recommended by the Minister, or
(ii) if such person was appointed pursuant to paragraphs (b), (c), (d), (e) or (h) of subsection (4) of this section, by the appointment by the Government of a person qualified in accordance with those paragraphs.
(b) A person appointed to the Governing Body pursuant to paragraph (a) of this subsection shall, unless he sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified from holding office, hold office for the remainder of the period for which the member of the Governing Body occasioning the vacancy, if he had continued to be such a member, would have held office.
(7) The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall apply to the Governing Body.
Functions of Governing Body.
6.—(1) Save as otherwise provided in this Act, the Governing Body shall manage and control all the affairs and property of the Institute and shall perform all the functions conferred on the Institute by this Act, and shall have all such powers as may be necessary under this Act for this purpose.
(2) The Governing Body may from time to time appoint such and so many committees as it thinks proper to assist it in such manner as the Governing Body shall direct and the Governing Body may assign to any committee so appointed such duties as it thinks fit.
(3) The acts of a committee established under this section shall be subject to confirmation by the Governing Body unless the Governing Body dispenses with the necessity for such confirmation.
The Director.
7.—(1) The Governing Body shall, with the approval of the Minister, from time to time appoint in a whole-time capacity a person to be the chief officer of the Institute and such officer is in this Act referred to as “the Director”.
(2) The provisions of the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to the Director.
The Academic Council.
8.—(1) The Governing Body shall appoint a body of persons which shall be known as and is in this Act referred to as “the Academic Council” to assist the Governing Body in the planning, co-ordination, development and overseeing of the educational work of the Institute.
(2) The Governing Body may by regulations made under this section provide for the membership and terms of office of the Academic Council established pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Academic Council shall have the following particular functions, that is to say—
(a) to design, develop and implement appropriate programmes of study,
(b) to make recommendations to the Governing Body for the establishment of appropriate structures to implement the programmes of study referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection,
(c) to make recommendations to the Governing Body on programmes for the development of research,
(d) to make recommendations to the Governing Body for the selection, admission, retention and exclusion of students,
(e) to make, subject to the approval of the Governing Body, and to implement the academic regulations of the Institute,
(f) to propose to the Governing Body the form of regulations to be made by the Governing Body for the conduct of examinations, and for the evaluation of academic progress,
(g) to make recommendations to the Governing Body for the award of fellowships, scholarships, bursaries, prizes or other awards,
(h) to make general arrangements for tutorial or other academic counselling,
(i) to exercise any other functions, in accordance with the provisions of this Act, which may be delegated to it by the Governing Body, and
(j) to implement any regulations which may be made by the Governing Body concerning any of the matters aforesaid.
(4) The Academic Council, with the approval of the Governing Body, may—
(a) establish such and so many committees, either consisting wholly or partly of persons who are not members of the Institute, as it thinks proper to assist the Academic Council in the performance of its functions under this Act, and
(b) determine, subject to the provisions of this Act, the functions of any committee established under paragraph (a) of this subsection.
(5) The acts of a committee established under subsection (4) (a) of this section shall be subject to confirmation by the Governing Body unless the Governing Body dispenses with the necessity for such confirmation.
(6) Subject to the provisions of this Act and to the directions of the Governing Body, the Academic Council may regulate its own procedure.
Officers and servants.
9.—(1) The Institute may appoint such and so many persons to be its officers (in addition to the Director) and servants as, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, it from time to time thinks proper.
(2) An officer (including the Director) or servant of the Institute shall hold his office or employment on such terms and conditions as the Institute, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may from time to time determine.
(3) The Institute shall not remove or suspend any of its officers (including the Director) from office without the consent of the Minister.
(4) The Institute may perform such of its functions as it may deem proper through or by any of its officers or servants duly authorised by the Institute in that behalf.
(5) There shall be paid by the Institute to its officers (including the Director) and servants such remuneration and allowances as it, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may from time to time determine.
Transferred staff.
10.—(1) Every person including the Director who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, is employed whole-time by the body known as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, shall, on such commencement, be transferred to and become an officer or servant, as may be appropriate, of the Institute, and all persons so transferred shall, for so long as they remain in the employment of the Institute, be members of the transferred staff of the Institute and are in this Act referred to as “the Institute's transferred staff”.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, a member of the Institute's transferred staff shall not, while in the employment of the Institute, receive less remuneration or be subject to less beneficial conditions of service than the remuneration approved by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service to which he was entitled and the conditions of service approved by the Minister to which he was subject by virtue of such membership in the service from which he was transferred by virtue of this section.
(b) The conditions of service, restrictions, requirements and obligations to which a member of the Institute's transferred staff was subject by virtue of such membership immediately before his transfer to the service of the Institute shall, unless they are varied by agreement, continue to apply to him and may be exercised or imposed by the Institute or the Director, as may be appropriate, while he is in the service of the Institute.
(3) A member of the Institute's transferred staff shall not, while in the service of the Institute, be subject to less favourable conditions in relation to the grant of superannuation allowances (whether by way of lump-sum, pension or gratuity or of compensation for loss of office) than the conditions approved by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service which applied to him by virtue of such membership immediately before his transfer by virtue of this section to the Institute.
(4) (a) The Institute may, following consultation with any recognised staff associations or trade unions concerned, redistribute or rearrange the duties to be performed by members of the Institute's transferred staff who are employed in a particular grade or class of employment and every such member shall be bound, to perform the duties allocated to him in any such redistribution or rearrangement.
(b) A redistribution or rearrangement referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not be taken to be removal from or abolition of office for the purpose of any scheme or enactment relating to superannuation or compensation for loss of office.
Superannuation.
11.—(1) As soon as may be after the passing of this Act, the Institute shall, subject to the provisions of section 10 (3) of this Act, prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of such of its staff (including the Director) as the Institute shall think fit.
(2) Every such scheme shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom pensions, gratuities or allowances are payable under the scheme and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(3) The Institute may at any time prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme amending a scheme previously submitted and approved of under this section.
(4) A scheme or amending scheme submitted to the Minister under this section shall, if approved of by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, be carried out by the Institute in accordance with its terms.
(5) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any pension, gratuity or allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for determination by him subject to the agreement of the Minister for the Public Service.
(6) No pension, gratuity, allowance or other payment shall be granted by the Institute to or in respect of a member of its staff (including the Director) except under and in accordance with a scheme under this section, nor shall any agreement be entered into by the Institute without the approval of the Minister, given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, for the provision otherwise than by the Institute of a pension, gratuity, allowance or other payment on the resignation, retirement or death of a member of its staff.
(7) The Minister shall cause every scheme submitted and approved of under this section to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is approved of and if either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Report and information to Minister.
12.—(1) The Governing Body shall, as soon as may be after the end of each academic year, prepare and submit to the Minister a report of its proceedings during that year.
(2) The Governing Body shall supply the Minister with such information regarding the performance of its functions as he may from time to time require.
Grants.
13.—In each year there shall, in accordance with section 12 (2) of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971, be paid by An tÚdarás to the Institute, out of the moneys received by An tÚdarás under section 12 (1) of the said Act, a grant or grants of such amount or amounts as An tÚdarás thinks fit.
Accounts and audits.
14.—(1) The Institute shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expenditure incurred by it and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid such special accounts as the Minister may from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Institute to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit on a date not later than the thirtieth day of April in the year following the year to which the accounts relate and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the accounts and of such other accounts, if any, as the Minister has directed to be kept, together with a copy of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the accounts shall be presented by the Institute to the Minister.
(3) The Minister shall cause copies of the accounts presented to him under this section by the Institute, together with copies of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Fees.
15.—The Institute may charge fees or admission charges of such amounts as may from time to time be determined by the Governing Body with the approval of the Minister for courses, lectures, examinations, exhibitions or any other event held at or by the Institute.
Expenses.
16.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title and commencement.
17.—(1) This Act may be cited as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, Act, 1980.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister may by order appoint.
FIRST SCHEDULE
The Governing Body
1. (1) As soon as may be after the commencement of this Act, the Governing Body shall provide and retain in its possession a seal of the Institute.
(2) The seal of the Institute shall be authenticated by the signature of the Chairman or a member of the Governing Body authorised by the Governing Body to act in that behalf and by the signature of an officer of the Institute authorised to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Institute and every document purporting to be an instrument made by the Institute and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this Schedule) of the Institute shall be received in evidence and shall be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
2. (1) The chairman of the Governing Body shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister and may be removed from office by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister.
(2) The chairman of the Governing Body may, at any time, resign his office as chairman by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect from the date on which the letter is received.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the chairman of the Governing Body shall hold office as chairman upon such terms as the Government may, at the date of his appointment, decide.
(4) The chairman of the Governing Body shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of seventy years.
3. (1) Every ordinary member of the Governing Body shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister and may be removed from office by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister.
(2) An ordinary member of the Governing Body may, at any time, resign his office as such member by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect from the date on which the letter is received.
(3) An ordinary member of the Governing Body shall cease to hold office on attaining the age of seventy years.
(4) An ordinary member of the Governing Body whose term of office expires by effluxion of time shall be eligible for reappointment.
4. (1) An ordinary member of the Governing Body (including the chairman but excluding an ordinary member who is a registered student of the Institute) shall hold office for a period not exceeding five years.
(2) An ordinary member of the Governing Body who is a student shall hold office for the period of one year.
5. (1) The Governing Body shall, from time to time as occasion requires, appoint from amongst its members (other than the chairman or the Director) a member to be deputy-chairman thereof.
(2) The deputy-chairman of the Governing Body shall, unless he sooner resigns the office of deputy-chairman or ceases to be deputy-chairman under sub-paragraph (3) of this paragraph, hold office until the expiration of his period of office as a member of the Governing Body.
(3) Where the deputy-chairman of the Governing Body ceases during his term of office as such to be a member of the Governing Body, he shall also then cease to be deputy-chairman of the Governing Body.
6. (a) Where a member of the Governing Body—
(i) is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or for election to either house of the Oireachtas, or is nominated for election to, or is appointed to be a representative in, the Assembly of the European Communities,
(ii) is adjudged bankrupt or makes under the protection or procedure of a court, a composition or arrangement with his creditors, or
(iii) is sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction,
he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Governing Body.
(b) A person shall not be eligible to be a member of the Governing Body if—
(i) he is, for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein,
(ii) he is for the time being a representative in the Assembly of the European Communities,
(iii) he is an undischarged bankrupt,
(iv) within the immediately preceding three years he has, under the protection of a court, made a composition or arrangement with his creditors, or
(v) within the immediately preceding five years, he has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
7. (1) A member of the Governing Body who has—
(a) any interest in any company or concern with which the Institute proposes to make any contract, or
(b) any interest in any contract which the Institute proposes to make,
shall disclose to the Governing Body the fact of the interest and the nature thereof and shall take no part in any deliberation or decision of the Governing Body relating to the contract, and the disclosure shall be recorded in the minutes of the Governing Body.
(2) A member of the Governing Body who is related to a person who is a candidate for appointment by the Governing Body as an officer or servant of the Institute shall disclose to the Governing Body the fact of the relationship and the nature thereof and shall, if the Governing Body so decide, take no part in any deliberation or decision of the Governing Body relating to the appointment, and the disclosure and decision shall be recorded in the minutes of the Governing Body.
8. The chairman and ordinary members of the Governing Body shall be paid out of funds at the disposal of the Governing Body such remuneration (if any) and such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for the Public Service, may decide.
9. (1) The Governing Body shall hold such and so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.
(2) The Minister shall fix the date, time and place of the first meeting of the Governing Body.
(3) The quorum for a meeting of the Governing Body shall be eight members.
10. At a meeting—
(a) the chairman shall, if he is present, be chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairman is not present or if the office of chairman is vacant, the deputy-chairman shall, if he is present, be chairman of the meeting,
(c) if and so long as the chairman is not present or the office of chairman is vacant and the deputy-chairman is not present or the office of deputy-chairman is vacant, the members of the Governing Body who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
11. Every question at a meeting of the Governing Body shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second and casting vote.
12. Subject to Article 9 (3) of this Schedule, the Governing Body may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.
13. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Governing Body shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its procedure and business.
14. The Governing Body shall control and conduct the affairs of the Institute and shall carry out all functions assigned to it by this Act and in particular the Governing Body—
(a) shall determine the conditions under which persons shall be admitted to the Institute and to any particular course of study therein,
(b) shall determine the conditions under which a student, having been admitted to the Institute, may be excluded from it,
(c) may enter into relationships with other institutions on such terms and conditions as the Governing Body may decide,
(d) may co-operate with any other institution, authority or body for any purpose of the Institute,
(e) subject to paragraph (a) of this Article, may accept in fulfilment or partial fulfilment of the requirement for entry to any course of study in the Institute, attendance by a student at a course or portion of a course in a Regional Technical College or such other institution as the Governing Body may decide, and
(f) may engage such consultants or advisers as it may consider necessary for the performance of its functions and any fees payable to such consultants or advisers shall be paid by the Institute out of moneys at its disposal.
SECOND SCHEDULE
The Director
1. The Director shall, subject to the directions of the Governing Body and the provisions of this Act, control and direct the activities of the Institute and shall control and direct the staff of the Institute in the implementation of such activities.
2. The Director shall not hold any other office or position without the consent of the Governing Body.
3. The Director shall be ex officio a member of the Governing Body and shall be entitled to be a member of every committee appointed by the Governing Body.
4. The Director shall be, ex officio, a member of the Academic Council and, if present, shall preside at all meetings of the Academic Council and shall be entitled to be a member of every committee appointed by the Academic Council.
5. Every Director, other than the first Director, shall be appointed, subject to the approval of the Minister, by the Governing Body.
6. The Governing Body may, with the consent of the Minister, remove the Director from office.
7. If the person who, on the passing of this Act, is employed as Chief Officer of the Institute is still so employed on the commencement of this Act, that person, if he so consents, shall be the first Director.
8. In case the Director by virtue of the provisions of this Act is disqualified from being a member of the Governing Body, he shall at the same time also cease to hold the office of Director.
Act Referred to | |
1971, No. 22 | |