The Irish Higher Education Authority plans to incorporate performance measures into their higher education funding. The higher education institutions have to meet the demands of certain national objectives, such as increased student numbers, improved teaching, academic quality and institutional reform.  The consultation paper from the Higher Education Authority where this plan has been launched says that the system will be implemented in 2009. It goes on: “Institutions should continue to innovate in developing their strategic aims, subject to usual controls.  It is accepted that not all innovations will be successful, and account will be taken of the particular circumstances of each case.” The Irish Universities Association will meet to discuss the paper and declines to comment at this stage.

HEA