Higher Education Colleges Association (HECA)

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Finance; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Keith Moynes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Alan Wall (Chief Executive Officer), Higher Education Authority; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Patrick O’Donovan (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Intent: Secure support for a transparent, permanent national mechanism whereby specialist disability funding follows the eligible student based on assessed need, irrespective of institutional type, with clear eligibility criteria, application and decision timelines, and the necessary funding provided through Budget 2027.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Simon Harris (Tánaiste and Minister), Department of Finance; Jack Chambers (Minister), Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform; Keith Moynes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science; Alan Wall (Chief Executive Officer), Higher Education Authority; Tom Clonan (Senator), Seanad; Erin McGreehan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas; Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad; Norma Foley (Minister), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Emer Higgins (Minister of State), Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; Patrick O’Donovan (Minister), Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media

Intent: Secure support for a transparent, permanent national mechanism whereby specialist disability funding follows the eligible student based on assessed need, irrespective of institutional type, with clear eligibility criteria, application and decision timelines, and the necessary funding provided through Budget 2027.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Intent: To secure meaningful engagement on the design and implementation of the Learner Protection Fund, including consideration of existing QQI-approved learner protection arrangements and continuation of the HECA PEL Scheme, with greater transparency on policy development, insurance and administrative costs, SME and proportionality impacts, and a legally proportionate, evidence-based approach to learner protection policy.

Methods: MeetingEmail

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Intent: The engagement sought to demonstrate government interest in independent and private higher education research and to provide an opportunity for the Minister to engage with researchers and senior representatives on key research themes and sector priorities.

Methods: EmailPhone call

Politician(s) lobbied: Donna McGettigan (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: The engagement aimed to foster constructive dialogue on current and future policy issues, enhance understanding of the private and independent higher education sector, and support ongoing engagement on the sector’s role and future policy vision.

Methods: Meeting

Politician(s) lobbied: William Beausang (Assistant Secretary), Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science

Intent: The engagement sought support to engage with Immigration Service Delivery within the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to identify urgent solutions and provide clarity and reassurance for affected students and higher education institutions.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: James Lawless (Minister), Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Intent: The engagement sought ministerial support for a legislative amendment to enable the continuation of the HECA PEL Scheme to 31 August 2030, maintaining learner protection, confidence, and stability within the private and independent higher education sector, subject to ongoing oversight and reporting to QQI.

Methods: Email

Politician(s) lobbied: Keith Moynes (Assistant Secretary), Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science

Intent: The engagement sought to present HECA’s positions, clarify departmental policy intent and constraints, and support constructive, ongoing dialogue on legislative, funding, and regulatory frameworks impacting the private and independent higher education sector.

Methods: EmailMeeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Laura Harmon (Senator), Seanad

Intent: To secure a meeting with Senator Harmon, a member of the Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to present HECA, outline the sector’s role and concerns, and open constructive dialogue on future policy engagement.

Methods: EmailMeeting

Politician(s) lobbied: Maeve O'Connell (TD), Dáil Éireann, the Oireachtas

Intent: The aim was to provide insight into the position of private and independent higher education within the Irish higher education system, including areas of positive contribution and matters of concern, and to establish constructive engagement with the Vice Chair on future policy development and sector priorities.

Methods: Email