Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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555. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the election of the University of Limerick Governing Authority to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15500/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In line with the provisions of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 which commenced in November 2022, I granted approval to the extension of the current University of Limerick (UL) Governing Authority's term of office for a period of 6 months, up to 31st May 2023.

My Department is currently engaging with the University in relation to the regulations required under the legislation relating to the selection, election, nomination or appointment of members of the governing authority, to achieve the reduction to a 19-member Governing Body which is required to be in place by 9th November 2023. That process will then allow for UL to appoint members to the new governing authority.

Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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556. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills hen he expects the election of the NUI Senate to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15501/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI) consists of 38 members in accordance with amendments made to the Charter of the NUI via the Universities Act 1997. Section 45 of the Universities Act 1997 amended the provisions in the Charter of the NUI regarding the composition of the Senate to provide that the NUI Senate would comprise:

- the Chancellor and Registrar of the NUI and the chief officers of its four constituent universities;

- 4 persons nominated by the Government, 2 of whom shall be women and 2 men (Section 45 (2)(b) of the Act);

- 4 persons elected by each of the four constituent universities;

- 8 members of Convocation elected by Convocation of the University, 4 of whom shall be women and 4 men; (under the provisions of the original Charter, Convocation of the National University of Ireland consists of the Chancellor, the Vice-Chancellor, the Members of Senate, the Professors and Lecturers and the Graduates of the University)

- not more than 4 persons co-opted by the Senate.

I understand that the process to appoint a new Senate (other than the Government nominees whose terms of office end in November 2023) is now complete and the term of office of the current Senate runs until 31 October 2027.

My Department has also recently completed a separate process to fill one of the four Senate positions nominated by the Government. The Government has recently approved the nomination and the successful applicant has been notified.