Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 27 March 2025, if the position remains vacant; the number of positions in the university occupied by a person in an ‘acting up’ capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37608/25]
View answerAs previously advised, in line with Section 24 of the Universities Act, 1997, the Governing Authority is responsible for the appointment of a person to be the chief officer (President) of its university. The Minister has no role in this process.
The Department has been informed that the process to recruit the next President is being led by the University Governing Authority, Údarás na hOllscoile, and is well in-train. Long and short listing of suitably-qualified applicants is complete, assessments are taking place throughout July, and final interviews are scheduled to take place on July 28 and 29. A successful appointee is expected to be identified by the end of July, subject to ratification of the appointment by Údarás na hOllscoile in early August.
In terms of interim appointments, following the resignation of Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Professor Peter McHugh was appointed Interim President of University of Galway by the Governing Authority, commencing on 7 September 2024. This left a vacancy in the Deputy President & Registrar position. An interim Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Becky Whay, was appointed to perform the duties of this position until such time as Professor McHugh returns to his substantive post or the post becomes vacant on a permanent basis.
Professor Whay's substantive position is that of Vice President: International, accordingly an interim appointment was made to this position, with Mr Alex Metcalfe filling the post of Vice President: International until such time as Becky Whay returns to her post.
Finally, a vacancy in the Vice Presidency for Research and Innovation arose in February 2025. Given the proximity to the filling of the Presidency post, this vacancy was filled on a temporary basis by Professor Lokesh Joshi who has previously served in this brief for eight years. Professor Joshi holds the position until such time as a new President is appointed and has an opportunity to make a more permanent appointment.
