Chancellor of the University of Limerick Professor Brigid Laffan is expected to tell the Public Accounts Committee that its governing body is determined to restore trust following another financial scandal at the institution.
“I will not ask you to trust us or tell you that there is no need for considerable change within UL,” Prof Laffan is set to tell the committee.
The appearance of senior figures from UL before the financial watchdog comes in the wake of the latest property-related controversy to engulf the university.
The opening statement from UL Provost Professor Shane Kilcommins reads: “This acquisition should never have been allowed to progress.
“There is sadness, and anger too, at the damage that the Rhebogue controversy has done to UL’s reputation.
“As the person leading today’s delegation, I want to say I am deeply sorry for what has happened.”
He will also point to “an override of management controls” when “concerns expressed about this acquisition were not adequately considered”.
The latest scandal follows an admission last year that the university had overpaid, by more than €3m, for a former Dunnes Stores site in Limerick City.
“The events of the past two months have created deep concern within the campus community as UL once again finds itself in the glare of adverse publicity with major trust issues,” the chancellor’s statement reads.
Prof Laffan will urge that PAC “judge us by our actions and results and monitor and verify what we do,” as this is the only way to restore both trust in UL and its reputation.
Committee Cathaoirleach Brian Stanley has noted that the University of Limerick recorded income of €352m in 2022 and got “more than 50% of funding from state sources”.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s session, which will examine the accounts for 2022, the Sinn Féin TD said that he is keen to learn more about the governance review which was carried out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), along with property acquisition, and due diligence and oversight by the HEA.
“The Governing Authority has engaged fully with the HEA in relation to the review,” Prof Kilcommins will say.
“UL will be subject to intense scrutiny for some time arising from Rhebogue – and justifiably so.”
