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Number 22 of 1971
HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY ACT, 1971
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Number 22 of 1971
HIGHER EDUCATION AUTHORITY ACT, 1971
Interpretation.
1.—(1) In this Act—
“academic member” means a member of An tÚdarás who, at the time of his appointment as such member, held an academic post;
“academic post” means a post in an institution of higher education (other than a post as chancellor or chief officer of a university or college thereof) all or part of the duties of the holder of which is to teach any students of the institution or to carry out research;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“institution of higher education” means—
(a) a university,
(b) a college of a university, or
(c) an institution which the Minister, after consultation with An tÚdarás, designates by regulations as an institution of higher education for the purposes of this Act;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Education;
“An tÚdarás” has the meaning specified in section 2 (1).
(2) A reference in this Act to performance of functions includes, with respect to powers, a reference to exercise of those powers.
Establishment of An tÚdarás.
2.—(1) There shall, by virtue of this section, be established a body to be known as An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas to perform the functions given to it by this Act (in this Act referred to as An tÚdarás).
(2) The provisions of the Schedule to this Act shall apply to An tÚdarás.
General functions.
3.—An tÚdarás shall, in addition to the specific functions given to it by this Act, have the general functions of—
(a) furthering the development of higher education,
(b) assisting in the co-ordination of State investment in higher education and preparing proposals for such investment,
(c) promoting an appreciation of the value of higher education and research,
(d) promoting the attainment of equality of opportunity in higher education,
(e) promoting the democratisation of the structure of higher education.
General duty with respect to national aims.
4.—In performing its functions, An tÚdarás shall bear constantly in mind the national aims of restoring the Irish language and preserving and developing the national culture and shall endeavour to promote the attainment of those aims.
Advice on institutions of higher education.
5.—An tÚdarás shall advise the Minister on the need or otherwise for the establishment of new institutions of higher education, on the nature and form of those institutions and on the legislative measures required in relation to their establishment or in relation to any existing institution of higher education.
Review of demand and need for higher education and recommendation of student places.
6.—(1) An tÚdarás shall maintain a continuous review of the demand and need for higher education.
(2) An tÚdarás shall recommend to the Minister the overall provision of student places to be made within the higher education system having regard to the need to maintain a reasonable balance in the distribution of the total number of students between the institutions of higher education.
Statement of financial position by institution of higher education.
7.—An tÚdarás may, annually or at such other intervals as it may determine, require any institution of higher education to submit a statement of its financial position to An tÚdarás and it shall be the duty of every institution of higher education to comply with any requirements which are imposed on it under this section.
Request by institution of higher education for State subvention.
8.—(1) Any request by an institution of higher education for State subvention shall be submitted by the institution to An tÚdarás in such manner as An tÚdarás may require.
(2) Requests submitted under this section shall be examined by An tÚdarás annually or at such other intervals as it may determine.
Financial planning.
9.—An tÚdarás may relate annual or other financial requirements of institutions of higher education to financial planning over such periods as it considers suitable.
Recommendation of State financial provision for higher education and research.
10.—(1) An tÚdarás shall assess amounts of State financial provision, both current and capital, which it recommends for higher education and research or for any part thereof, either in relation to current or future periods.
(2) In making assessments under this section in respect of institutions of higher education, An tÚdarás shall have regard to the accommodation capacity for students of each institution and to the maintenance of a reasonable balance in the distribution of the total number of students as between institutions.
Supply of information.
11.—An institution of higher education shall supply to An tÚdarás all such information relative to the institution as An tÚdarás may require for the purpose of performing its functions.
Payments for institutions of higher education.
12.—(1) There shall be paid to An tÚdarás, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, such amounts for institutions of higher education as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.
(2) Any payment to an institution which An tÚdarás makes out of the amounts that it receives under the foregoing subsection shall be made in such manner and subject to such conditions as An tÚdarás thinks fit.
Studies on problems of higher education and research.
13.—An tÚdarás may institute and conduct studies on such problems of higher education and research as it considers appropriate and may publish reports of such studies.
Officers and servants.
14.—(1) An tÚdarás may appoint such and so many persons to be its officers and servants as, subject to the approval of the Minister, it from time to time thinks proper.
(2) An officer or servant of An tÚdarás shall hold his office or employment on such terms and conditions as An tÚdarás, subject to the approval of the Minister, from time to time determines.
(3) An tÚdarás may, with the consent of the Minister, remove any officer or servant of An tÚdarás from being its officer or servant.
(4) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, there shall be paid by An tÚdarás to its officers and servants such remuneration and allowances as, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, it determines from time to time.
(5) Where a person who is either an officer or servant in the employment of An tÚdarás becomes a member of either House of the Oireachtas—
(a) he shall, during the period commencing upon his becoming entitled under the Standing Orders of that House to sit therein and ending either when he ceases to be a member of that House or, if it should sooner happen, upon his resignation or retirement from such employment or upon the termination of such employment by An tÚdarás, stand seconded from such employment,
(b) he shall not be paid by, or entitled to receive from, An tÚdarás any remuneration or allowances in respect of that period,
(c) he shall not be entitled to reckon the whole or any part of that period for any benefits payable under any scheme under section 15 of this Act.
(6) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming an officer or servant of An tÚdarás.
Superannuation of officers and servants.
15.—(1) An tÚdarás shall prepare and submit to the Minister a contributory scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement to or in respect of its permanent staff.
(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 on retirement are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(3) An tÚdarás may at any time prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme amending a scheme previously submitted and approved under this section.
(4) A scheme submitted to the Minister under this section shall, if approved of by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, be carried out by An tÚdarás 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 who shall refer it to the Minister for Finance, whose decision shall be final.
(6) Every scheme submitted and approved of under this section shall 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.
Advisory committees and persons.
16.—(1) An tÚdarás may appoint a committee or person to advise it on matters relating to its functions.
(2) A person appointed under this section to a committee or to advise may be either a member of An tÚdarás or not a member and An tÚdarás may, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the consent of the Minister for Finance, pay him allowances for expenses and, if he is not a member of An tÚdarás, fees.
Gifts.
17.—(1) An tÚdarás may accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donor.
(2) An tÚdarás shall not accept a gift if the conditions attached by the donor are inconsistent with the functions of An tÚdarás.
Exemption from stamp duty.
18.—Stamp duty shall not be charged on any conveyance or other instrument executed for the purpose of vesting property or any interest in property in An tÚdarás.
Grants.
19.—The Minister may, out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas, from time to time make grants to An tÚdarás of such amounts as, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, he considers necessary to enable An tÚdarás to perform its functions.
Laying of regulations before Houses of the Oireachtas.
20.—Every regulation made under this Act shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and if either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the regulation, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Short title and commencement.
21.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister appoints by order.
SCHEDULE.
An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas.
1. An tÚdarás 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.
2. The members of An tÚdarás shall be a chairman and not more than eighteen ordinary members of whom at least seven shall be academic members and at least seven shall be other than academic members.
3. (1) The chairman of An tÚdarás shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister and he may be removed from office by the Government.
(2) The chairman of An tÚdarás may resign his office as chairman by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect when the letter is received.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, the chairman of An tÚdarás shall hold his office on such terms as the Government determines.
4. (1) An ordinary member of An tÚdarás shall be appointed by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister and, before making a recommendation, the Minister shall consult thereon with the chairman of An tÚdarás.
(2) An ordinary member of An tÚdarás shall be appointed for a term of five years and his appointment may be renewed for a further term of five years, but after ten years in office he shall not be eligible for renewal of his appointment until a further period of two years has elapsed.
5. An tÚdarás shall appoint one of its ordinary members to be deputy chairman. The term of the appointment shall not exceed two years and the appointment shall not be renewable. If, at any time during that term, the person appointed ceases to be a member of An tÚdarás, he shall also cease at that time to be deputy chairman.
6. (1) The Government, after consultation with the chairman of An tÚdarás, may remove an ordinary member of An tÚdarás from office.
(2) An ordinary member of An tÚdarás may resign his office as a member by letter addressed to the Minister and the resignation shall take effect when the letter is received.
7. Where a member of An tÚdarás is nominated for election to either House of the Oireachtas or as a member of Seanad Éireann, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of An tÚdarás.
8. A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall be disqualified from being a member of An tÚdarás.
9. A member of An tÚdarás shall be disqualified from holding and shall cease to hold office if he is adjudged bankrupt or makes a composition or arrangement with creditors, or is sentenced by a court of competent jurisdiction to suffer imprisonment or penal servitude or ceases to be ordinarily resident in the State.
10. Where a member of An tÚdarás attains the age of seventy years, he shall thereupon cease to hold office.
11. A member of An tÚdarás shall be paid by An tÚdarás—
(a) such allowances as the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, determines,
(b) such amounts in respect of expenses as An tÚdarás considers reasonable.
12. The chairman of An tÚdarás and each ordinary member of An tÚdarás at a meeting thereof shall have a vote.
13. (1) An tÚdarás 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 An tÚdarás.
14. The quorum for a meeting of An tÚdarás shall be six members.
15. At a meeting of An tÚdarás—
(a) the chairman of An tÚdarás shall, if he is present, be chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and so long as the chairman of An tÚdarás is not present or 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 of An tÚdarás is not present or the office of chairman is vacant and the deputy chairman of An tÚdarás is not present or the office of deputy chairman is vacant, the members of An tÚdarás who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
16. Every question at a meeting of An tÚdarás on which there is disagreement among the members present 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 or casting vote.
17. An tÚdarás may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.
18. Subject to the provisions of this Schedule, An tÚdarás shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its procedure and business.
19. (1) An tÚdarás shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of An tÚdarás shall be authenticated by the signature of a member of An tÚdarás authorised by An tÚdarás to act in that behalf and the signature of an officer of An tÚdarás authorised by An tÚdarás to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of An tÚdarás and every document purporting to be an instrument made by An tÚdarás, and to be sealed with the seal (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this Schedule) of An tÚdarás shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
20. (1) An tÚdarás 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 expended by it, including an income and expenditure account and a balance sheet, and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid all such special accounts as the Minister, on his own motion, or at the request of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this paragraph shall be submitted annually by An tÚdarás to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the income and expenditure account and of the balance sheet and of such other (if any) of the accounts as the Minister, after consultation with the Minister for Finance, may direct and a copy of the Comptroller and Auditor General's report on the accounts shall be presented to the Minister who shall cause copies thereof to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
21. (1) An tÚdarás shall, at the end of each quinquennium or at such other time or times as the Minister may direct, make a report to the Minister of its proceedings under this Act during the preceding quinquennium or during whatever other period the Minister may appoint.
(2) The Minister shall cause copies of any such report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(3) An tÚdarás shall supply the Minister with such information regarding the performance of its functions as he may from time to time require.
22. An tÚdarás shall appoint one of its officers to be Secretary of An tÚdarás.
23. An tÚdarás may perform such of its functions as it may deem proper through or by any of its officers or servants duly authorised in that behalf.
Uimhir 22 de 1971
ACHT AN ÚDARÁIS UM ARD-OIDEACHAS, 1971
[An tiontú oifigiúil.]
[27 Iúil, 1971.]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
ciallaíonn “comhalta acadúil” comhalta den Údarás a raibh post acadúil aige nuair a ceapadh ina chomhalta den sórt sin é;
ciallaíonn “post acadúil” post i bhforas ard-oideachais (seachas post mar shainsiléir nó príomh-oifigeach ollscoile nó do choláiste di) arb iad dualgais uile, nó cuid de dhualgais, shealbhóir an phoist sin aon mhic léinn de chuid an fhorais a theagasc nó taighde a dhéanamh;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “foras ard-oideachais”—
(a) ollscoil,
(b) coláiste ollscoile, nó
(c) foras arna ainmniú ag an Aire le rialacháin, tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Údarás, mar fhoras ard-oideachais chun críocha an Achta seo;
ciallaíonn “An tAire” an tAire Oideachais;
tá le “an tÚdarás” an bhrí a shonraítear in alt 2 (1).
(2) Folaíonn tagairt san Acht seo d'fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh maidir le cumhachtaí, tagairt do na cumhachtaí a fheidhmiú.
Bunú an Údaráis.
2.—(1) Bunófar, de bhua an ailt seo, comhlacht ar a dtabharfar an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas (dá ngairtear “An tÚdarás” san Acht seo) chun na feidhmeanna a thugtar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Bainfidh forálacha an Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht seo leis an Údarás.
Feidhmeanna ginearálta.
3.—I dteannta na bhfeidhmeanna sonracha a thugtar don Údarás leis an Acht seo beidh aige freisin na feidhmeanna ginearálta seo:
(a) forbairt ard-oideachais a chur ar aghaidh,
(b) cabhrú le hinfheistíocht Stáit in ard-oideachas a chomhoirdniú agus tograí i leith na hinfheistíochta sin a ullmhú,
(c) dlús a chur le cuímheas ar fhiúntas ard-oideachais agus ar fhiúntas taighde,
(d) dlús a chur le comhdheiseanna a bheith ann ar ard-oideachas,
(e) dlús a chur le comhdhéanamh ard-oideachais a dhaonfhlathú.
Dualgas ginearálta maidir le haidhmeanna náisiúnta.
4.—Ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna don Údarás coimeádfaidh sé i gcuimhne i gcónaí na haidhmeanna náisiúnta atá ann an Ghaeilge a aisiriú agus an tsaíocht náisiúnta a chaomhnú agus a fhorbairt agus féachfaidh sé le cabhrú leis na haidhmeanna sin a chur i gcrích.
Comhairle faoi fhorais ard-oideachais.
5.—Comhairleoidh an tÚdarás an tAire faoi riachtanas nó a mhalairt a bheith le forais nua ard-oideachais a bhunú, faoin gcineál foras iad agus faoina bhfoirm, agus faoi na bearta reachtaíochta is gá maidir lena mbunú nó maidir le haon fhoras ard-oideachais atá ann faoi láthair.
Athbhreithniú ar an éileamh ar ard-oideachas agus ar an riachtanas le hard-oideachas agus moladh faoi ionaid do mhic léinn.
6.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an tÚdarás faoi shíor-bhreithniú an t-éileamh a bheidh ar ard-oideachas agus ar an riachtanas le hard-oideachas.
(2) Molfaidh an tÚdarás don Aire an uimhir chomhiomlán ionad mac léinn a bheidh le cur ar fáil sa chóras ard-oideachais ag féachaint gur riachtanach an líon iomlán mac léinn a choimeád dáilte réasúnta cothrom idir na forais ard-oideachais.
Ráiteas ar staid airgeadais ó fhoras ard-oideachais.
7.—Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, go bliantúil nó i gceann cibé eatramh eile a chinnfidh sé, a cheangal ar aon fhoras ard-oideachais ráiteas ar a staid airgeadais a thabhairt don Údarás agus beidh de dhualgas ar gach foras ard-oideachais déanamh de réir aon cheanglais a chuirfear air faoin alt seo.
Iarratas ó fhoras ard-oideachais ar fhóirdheontas Stáit.
8.—(1) Déanfaidh foras ard-oideachais a iarrfaidh fóirdheontas Stáit an t-iarratas a chur faoi bhráid an Údaráis i cibé slí a ordóidh an tÚdarás.
(2) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás iarratais a chuirfear faoina bhráid faoin alt seo a scrúdú go bliantúil nó i gceann cibé eatramh eile a chinnfidh sé.
Pleanáil airgeadais.
9.—Féadfaidh an tÚdarás riachtanais airgeadais bhliantúla nó riachtanais airgeadais eile foras ard-oideachais a chur i gcoibhéis le pleanáil airgeadais faoi chomhair cibé tréimhsí is oiriúnach leis an Údarás.
Soláthar airgid Stáit a mholadh faoi chomhair ard-oideachais agus taighde.
10.—(1) Measfaidh an tÚdarás suimeanna soláthair airgid Stáit, idir sholáthar reatha agus sholáthar caipitil, a mholann an tÚdarás faoi chomhair ard-oideachais agus taighde nó aon choda de sin in aghaidh tréimhsí reatha nó tréimhsí san am le teacht.
(2) Le linn measúnachtaí a dhéanamh faoin alt seo i leith foras ard-oideachais, beidh aird ag an Údarás ar acmhainn chóiríochta gach forais le haghaidh mac léinn agus ar an líon iomlán mac léinn a choimeád dáilte réasúnta cothrom idir forais.
Eolas a thabhairt.
11.—Tabharfaidh foras ard-oideachais don Údarás an t-eolas sin go léir i dtaobh an fhorais a theastóidh ón Údarás chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
Iocaíochtaí d'fhorais ard-oideachais.
12.—(1) Íocfar leis an Údarás, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas, cibé suimeanna d'fhorais ard-oideachais a cheadóidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(2) Déanfar aon íocaíocht a íocfaidh an tÚdarás le foras as na suimeanna a gheobhaidh an tÚdarás faoin bhfo-alt roimhe seo a íoc i cibé slí agus faoi réir cibé coinníollacha is oiriúnach leis an Údarás.
Staidéar ar fhadhbanna ard-oideachais agus taighde.
13.—Féadfaidh an tÚdarás staidéar a bhunú agus a sheoladh i dtaobh cibé fadhbanna ard-oideachais agus taighde is dóigh leis an Údarás is iomchuí agus féadfaidh sé tuarascálacha ar staidéar den sórt sin a fhoilsiú.
Oifigigh agus seirbhísigh.
14.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine is cuí leis a cheapadh ó am go ham, faoi réir cheadú an Aire, chun bheith ina n-oifigigh agus ina seirbhísigh don Údarás.
(2) Sealbhóidh oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Údarás a oifig nó a fhostaíocht ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an tÚdarás ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire.
(3) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás, le toiliú an Aire, aon oifigeach nó seirbhíseach don Údarás a chur as bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach don Údarás.
(4) Faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, íocfaidh an tÚdarás lena oifigigh agus lena sheirbhísigh cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh sé ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(5) I gcás duine is oifigeach nó seirbhíseach i bhfostaíocht faoin Údarás teacht chun bheith ina chomhalta de cheachtar Teach den Oireachtas—
(a) beidh sé ar iasacht ón bhfostaíocht sin i gcaitheamh na tréimhse dar tosach an tráth a thiocfaidh sé i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe an Tí sin suí sa Teach sin agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin nó, más túisce a tharlóidh, a éireoidh sé as an bhfostaíocht sin, a scoirfidh sé di nó a fhoirceannfaidh an tÚdarás an fhostaíocht sin,
(b) ní íocfaidh an tÚdarás leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón Údarás, aon luach saothair ná liúntais in aghaidh na tréimhse sin,
(c) ní bheidh sé i dteideal an tréimhse sin go léir ná aon chuid di a áireamh le haghaidh aon sochair is iníoctha faoi aon scéim faoi alt 15 den Acht seo.
(6) Aon duine atá de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé, an fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun teacht chun bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach don Údarás.
Aoisliúntas d'oifigigh agus do sheirbhísigh.
15.—(1) Ullmhóidh an tÚdarás agus cuirfidh faoi bhráid an Aire scéim ranníocach nó scéimeanna ranníocacha chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú dá bhuan-fhoireann, nó i leith a bhuan-fhoirne, ar scor dóibh.
(2) Socróidh gach scéim den sórt sin an tráth agus na coinníollacha scoir do na daoine go léir lenarb iníoctha, nó arb iníoctha ina leith, faoin scéim pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais ar scor dóibh, agus féadfar tráthanna agus coinníollacha éagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(3) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás aon tráth scéim a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire do leasú scéime a cuireadh faoi bhráid an Aire agus a ceadaíodh roimhe sin faoin alt seo.
(4) Cuirfidh an tÚdarás i bhfeidhm de réir a téarmaí aon scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire faoin alt seo má cheadaíonn an tAire í le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais.
(5) Má éiríonn aon díospóid i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ag éileamh, nó i dtaobh méid, aon phinsin, aisce nó liúntais is iníoctha de bhun scéime faoin alt seo, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire agus tarchuirfidh seisean chun an Aire Airgeadais í, agus is cinneadh críochnaitheach a chinneadhsan.
(6) Gach scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire agus a cheadófar faoin alt seo leagfar í 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.
Coistí comhairleacha agus lucht comhairle.
16.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás coiste nó duine a cheapadh chun comhairle a thabhairt don Údarás i dtaobh nithe a bhaineann le feidhmeanna an Údaráis.
(2) Aon duine a cheapfar faoin alt seo ar choiste nó chun comhairle a thabhairt féadfaidh sé gur comhalta den Údarás é nó nach comhalta den Údarás é agus féadfaidh an tÚdarás, faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais liúntais i leith costas agus, mura comhalta den Údarás é, táillí a íoc leis.
Bronntanais.
17.—(1) Féadfaidh an tÚdarás bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an tÚdarás bronntanas má bhíonn na coinníollacha a bheidh curtha ag gabháil leis ag an deontóir ar neamhréir le feidhmeanna an Údaráis.
Díolúine ó dhleacht stampa.
18.—Ní mhuirearófar dleacht stampa ar aon tíolacas nó íonstraim eile a fhorghníomhófar chun maoin nó aon leas i maoin a dhílsiú don Údarás.
Deontais.
19.—Féadfaidh an tAire deontais a mbeidh cibé méid iontu a mheasfaidh sé, le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, is gá chun a chumasú don Údarás a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh a thabhairt ó am go ham don Údarás as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Rialacháin a leagan faoi bhráid Thithe an Oireachtais.
20.—Gach rialachán a dhéanfar faoin Acht seo leagfar é faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir é tar éis a dhéanta agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an rialachán a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú an rialacháin beidh an rialachán ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin rialachán.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
21.—(1) Feádfar Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú.
AN SCEIDEAL.
An tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas.
1. Beidh an tÚdarás ina chomhlacht corpraithe le comharbas suthain agus beidh cumhacht agartha aige, agus beidh sé inagartha faoina ainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aige talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
2. Is iad comhaltaí an Údaráis cathaoirleach and ocht ngnáthchomhalta dhéag ar a mhéid ar comhaltaí acadúla seachtar díobh ar a laghad agus ar comhaltaí seachas comhaltaí acadúla seachtar díobh ar a laghad.
3. (1) Is é an Rialtas ar mholadh an Aire a cheapfaidh cathaoirleach an Údaráis agus féadfaidh an Rialtas é a chur as oifig.
(2) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach an Údaráis éirí as a oifig mar chathaoirleach trí litir a bheidh dírithe chun an Aire agus glacfaidh an t-éirí-as éifeacht nuair a gheofar an litir.
(3) Faoi réir forálacha an Sceidil seo, sealbhóidh cathaoirleach an Údaráis a oifig ar cibé téarmaí a chinnfidh an Rialtas.
4. (1) Ceapfaidh an Rialtas gnáth-chomhalta den Údarás ar mholadh an Aire agus, sula ndéanfaidh sé moladh, rachaidh an tAire i gcomhairle faoin moladh le cathaoirleach an Údaráis.
(2) Go ceann tréimhse cúig bhliana a cheapfar gnáth-chomhalta den Údarás agus féadfar a cheapadh a athnuachan go ceann téarma cúig bliana eile, ach tar éis dó a bheith deich mbliana in oifig ní bheidh sé cáilithe chun go ndéanfar a cheapadh a athnuachan nó go mbeidh dhá bhliain eile caite.
5. Ceapfaidh an tÚdarás duine dá ghnáth-chomhaltaí chun bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach. Ní faide ná dhá bhliain a bheidh téarma an cheaptha agus ní fhéadfar an ceapadh a athnuachan. Má scoireann an duine a cheapfar, aon tráth in imeacht an téarma sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Údarás, scoirfidh sé freisin an tráth sin de bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach.
6. (1) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, tar éis dul i gcomhairle le Cathaoirleach an Údaráis, gnáth-chomhalta den Údarás a chur as oifig.
(2) Féadfaidh gnáth-chomhalta den Údarás éirí as a oifig mar chomhalta trí litir a bheidh dírithe chuig an Aire agus glacfaidh an t-éirí-as éifeacht nuair a gheofar an litir.
7. I gcás ina n-ainmneofar comhalta den Údarás le toghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas nó mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Údarás.
8. Aon duine atá de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé dícháilithe chun bheith ina chomhalta den Údarás.
9. Beidh comhalta den Údarás dícháilithe chun oifig a shealbhú, agus scoirfidh sé d'oifig a shealbhú, má bhreithnítear ina fhéimheach é nó má dhéanann sé imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht le creidiúnaithe, nó má thugann cúirt dlínse inniúla breith air príosúnacht nó pianseirbhís a fhulaingt nó má scoireann sé de ghnáth-chónaí a bheith air sa Stát.
10. I gcás ina slánóidh comhalta den Údarás seachtó bliain d'aois, scoirfidh sé air sin d'oifig a shealbhú.
11. Íocfaidh an tÚdarás le comhalta den Údarás—
(a) cibé liúntais a chinnfidh an tAire le toiliú an Aire Airgeadais,
(b) cibé suimeanna i leith caiteachas a mheasfaidh an tÚdarás a bheith réasúnach.
12. Beidh vóta ag cathaoirleach an Údarás agus ag gach gnáthchomhalta den Údarás ag cruinniú den Údarás.
13. (1) Tionólfaidh an tÚdarás cibé cruinnithe agus cibé méid cruinnithe is gá chun a fheidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Socróidh an tAire dáta, tráth agus ionad chéad-chruinniú an Údaráis.
14. Seisear comhaltaí an córam do chruinniú den Údarás.
15. Ag cruinniú den Údarás—
(a) is é cathaoirleach an Údaráis a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú má bhíonn sé i láthair,
(b) má bhíonn agus an fad a bheidh cathaoirleach an Údaráis as láthair nó oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, is é an leascathaoirleach a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú má bhíonn sé i láthair,
(c) má bhíonn agus an fad a bheidh cathaoirleach an Údaráis as láthair nó oifig an chathaoirligh folamh agus nach mbeidh an leas-chathaoirleach i láthair nó go mbeidh oifig an leaschathaoirligh folamh, déanfaidh na comhaltaí den Údarás a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon a roghnú le bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
16. Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Údarás a mbeidh easaontas maidir léi idir na comhaltaí a bheidh i láthair a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás comhionannas vótaí, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
17. Féadfaidh an tÚdarás gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais i measc a chomhaltaí.
18. Faoi réir forálacha an Sceidil seo, rialálfaidh an tÚdarás, trí bhuan-orduithe nó ar shlí eile, a nós imeachta agus a ghnó.
19. (1) Soláthróidh an tÚdarás séala dó feín a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bhunaithe.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala an Údaráis le síniú comhalta den Údarás a bheidh údaraithe ag an Údarás gníomhú chuige sin agus le síniú oifigigh don Údarás a bheidh údaraithe ag an Údarás gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala an Údaráis agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an tÚdarás, agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (a airbheartóidh a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir an Sceidil seo) an Údaráis agus measfar gurb í an ionstraim sin é gan chruthúnas mura suífear a mhalairt.
20. (1) Coimeádfaidh an tÚdarás, i cibé foirm a cheadóidh an tAire le comhthoiliú an Aire Airgeadais, na cuntais go léir is cuí agus is gnáth ar an airgead go léir a gheobhaidh an tÚdarás nó a chaithfidh sé, lena n-áirítear cuntas ioncaim agus caiteachais agus clár comhardaithe, agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sé, san fhoirm sin a dúradh, na cuntais speisialta sin go léir a ordóidh an tAire, as a chonlán féin nó ar iarratas ón Aire Airgeadais, ó am go ham.
(2) Déanfaidh an tÚdarás cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur gach bliain faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste lena n-iniúchadh agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfar cóip den chuntas ioncaim agus caiteachais agus den chlár comhardaithe agus den chuid eile sin (más ann) de na cuntais a ordóidh an tAire tar éis dul i gcomhairle leis an Aire Airgeadais agus cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na cuntais a thíolacadh don Aire agus cuirfidh seisean faoi deara cóipeanna díobh a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
21. (1) Tabharfaidh an tÚdarás, i ndeireadh gach cúig bliana comhleanúnacha nó cibé tráth nó tráthanna eile a ordóidh an tAire, tuarascáil don Aire ar imeachtaí an Údaráis faoin Acht seo i gcaitheamh na gcúig bliana comhleanúnacha roimhe sin nó i gcaitheamh cibé tréimhse eile a cheapfaidh an tAire.
(2) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna d'aon tuarascáil den sórt sin a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(3) Tabharfaidh an tÚdarás don Aire cibé eolas i dtaobh comhlíonadh feidhmeanna an Údaráis a iarrfaidh sé ó am go ham.
22. Ceapfaidh an tÚdarás duine dá oifigigh chun bheith ina Rúnaí don Údarás.
23. Féadfaidh an tÚdarás cibé feidhmeanna dá chuid is cuí leis a fheidhmiú trí nó ag aon oifigigh nó seirbhísigh dá chuid a bheidh údaraithe go cuí chuige sin.