HEA appointment: Senior figures in the universities have reacted angrily to the manner in which the former secretary general of the Department of Health and Children has been appointed to a key education post.
Michael Kelly was appointed as full-time chairman of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) after vacating his post in the department following publication of the Travers report earlier this week. ...
This followed a U-turn by the Department of Education and Science, which had signalled that the post would be filled only on a part-time basis.
Few in the university sector question Mr Kelly's ability or experience. But senior sources say the manner of the appointment underlines the low priority given by the Government to the third-level sector.
One key figure said: "This was an appointment based on political convenience rather than any kind of worked-out strategy".
There is also anger that the full-time post was not advertised internationally as recommended by the landmark OECD report on the third-level sector in the State, published late last year.
Responding to the Kelly appointment, another university source said: "There is a lack of joined-up thinking here. The Government keeps telling us that universities are the key to our economic future. But an important job like this can be filled in a way which undermines all of this rhetoric."
Others in the third-level sector are taking a more pragmatic view of the Kelly appointment. They say the decision by the Minister for Education, Mary Hanafin, to support the appointment - and so help solve a problem for the Government - may help her secure support for third-level reform around the Cabinet table.
The OECD report proposed a huge increase in funding for the sector.
It also proposed the establishment of a new tertiary education authority to replace the current body. This new organisation would take charge of both the university and the institute of technology sectors.