175. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the failure of Dundalk Institute of Technology to appoint a financial controller and the fact that this position in which the occupant also performs the role of secretary of the governing body has remained unfilled for in excess of one year; his further views on the impact of same on good financial and corporate governance at the institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47283/19]

Institutes of Technology such as Dundalk IoT are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Day to day operations, including the filling of vacancies, are therefore a matter for the institute concerned.

It should also be noted that the Code of Governance for Institutes of Technology advises that while the secretary of the Governing Body of an Institute of Technology is normally the Secretary/Financial Controller, the role may also be designated to another employee in accordance with the agreed structure of the Institute.