Higher Education Authority Act 2022

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Equality statement of certain designated institutions of higher education

62. (1) This section applies to a designated institution of higher education referred to in paragraph (a)(vi) or (b) of section 53 (1).

(2) A designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall, as soon as practicable after the designation order is made or at a time agreed with An tÚdarás, prepare a statement (in this section referred to as an “equality statement”) for the period specified in the statement, being a period of not more than 5 years from the date the statement is prepared.

(3) A designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall prepare each subsequent equality statement not later than 3 months after the expiration of the period specified in the previous equality statement.

(4) A designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall, for the purpose of preparing an equality statement, consult with the following:

(a) the Minister;

(b) such Ministers of the Government as the institution considers appropriate;

(c) An tÚdarás;

(d) students or the students’ unions of the institution;

(e) employees of the institution;

(f) the academic council of the institution;

(g) such education and training boards as the institution considers appropriate;

(h) a local authority (within the meaning of the Local Government Act 2001 ) in whose functional area the campus of the institution is located;

(i) such other body or person as the institution considers appropriate.

(5) An equality statement of a designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall specify—

(a) the policy of the institution for enabling access to it, and the education it provides, by students in priority groups and persons in those groups seeking to become students,

(b) the policy of the institution relating to equality, including gender equality, in all activities of the institution, and

(c) the manner in which the plan relates to any strategic development plan under section 61 , and any performance agreement in place under section 36 , in relation to the institution.

(6) A designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall implement the policies set out in the equality statement prepared by it under this section.

(7) A designated institution of higher education to which this section applies shall provide a copy of the equality statement to An tÚdarás and shall publish it in such manner as it considers appropriate.