Institutes of Technology Act 2006

Amendment of section 7 of DIT Act.

33.— The DIT Act is amended by substituting the following section for section 7:

“Functions of Governing Body.

7.— (1) The functions of the Governing Body shall be, in pursuance of the functions of the Institute under section 5 but within the constraints of the Institute’s budget under section 14—

(a) to control and administer the land and other property of the Institute,

(b) to appoint the President and such other staff as it thinks necessary for the purposes of the Institute, and

(c) to perform such other functions as are conferred on it by this or any other Act.

(2) For the purpose of the appointment of the President under subsection (1)(b), the Governing Body shall develop such interview and other procedures as in its opinion will best ensure participation in the selection process by candidates of a high calibre from both within and outside of the Institute and shall publish such procedures in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(3) The Governing Body has, subject to this or any other Act, such powers as are necessary for the purposes of performing its functions.

(4) The Governing Body may, from time to time, appoint such and as many committees, consisting either wholly or partly of members of the Governing Body, as it thinks necessary to assist it in the performance of its functions and may assign to those committees such of its functions as it thinks fit.

(5) A committee appointed under subsection (4) shall operate in such manner as the Governing Body may direct and its acts shall be subject to confirmation by the Governing Body, unless the Governing Body otherwise directs.

(6) In performing its functions the Governing Body, or, where appropriate, a committee, shall—

(a) comply with such policy directions as may be issued by the Minister from time to time, including directions relating to the levels and range of programmes offered by the Institute,

(b) have regard to the promotion and use of the Irish language as a language of general communication and promote the cultivation of the Irish language and its associated literary and cultural traditions,

(c) have regard to the attainment of gender balance and equality of opportunity among the students and staff of the Institute and shall, in particular, promote access to education in the Institute by economically or socially disadvantaged persons, by persons who have a disability and by persons from sections of society significantly under-represented in the student body,

(d) ensure as far as it can that the Institute contributes to the promotion of the economic, cultural and social development of the State and to respect for the diversity of values, beliefs and traditions in Irish society, and

(e) have regard to the statutory responsibilities of other education providers.”.