Specific University of Limerick staff to be 'afforded opportunity' to review report into property acquisition

CERTAIN personnel within University of Limerick (UL) should be given the chance to review the contents of an investigation into the purchase of 20 homes in Rhebogue at over market value, the college's governing authority has decided.

On top of this, they will also be able to make written observations on the findings that have arisen.

On a day where UL chancellor Prof Brigid Laffan addressed the controversy of the overpayment of the units for students for the first time in front of a packed audience at University Concert Hall, the governing authority met a short time later.

At that meeting, they discussed the report done on the transaction, which she admitted will leave the university facing a "serious impairment" of €5m which will be reflected in the institution's financial statements for 2023.

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In a statement released by UL on behalf of the governing authority, the next steps it will take on the independent report, commissioned in February, were outlined.

"The governing authority has determined that certain university personnel should be afforded the opportunity to review its content and submit written observations on its findings. Once responses have been received, the governing authority will meet to determine the appropriate next steps," the statement read.

UL said it will be offering "no further comment" for the time being, and did not identify which individuals the governing body is referring to.

The governing authority added it's engaging closely and regularly with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), which is its principal funder.

Part of this engagement is to agree the terms of reference for a separate review which has been ordered by the authority in the wake of the news of the overpayment emerging.

Under conditions imposed on the college, the inquiry's terms must be agreed with the HEA. These are expected to be finalised shortly.

Prof Laffan said: "I want nothing more than to help steer this esteemed academic institution that is renowned worldwide for its research and learning, into the future. It is with profound upset and disappointment that instead of dedicating all my energies to that task, I must instead focus on addressing this issue of governance and financial management. It is a matter of significant regret that we find ourselves in this very difficult situation. This is a critical matter for me and for the governing authority as a whole. It is essential that the facts are established, that measures are taken to ensure that something like this never happens again, and that there is accountability."

The college's president, Prof Kerstin Mey, who has been the subject of calls to resign from the role, is on sick leave.

In the meantime, Prof Laffan told students earlier that the president's deputy, vice-president and provost Shane Kilcommins will assume her duties for at least the next fortnight.

Statement on behalf of the Governing Authority of University of Limerick in relation to the acquisition of property at Rhebogue, Limerick:

The governing authority of University of Limerick ("UL") met today to consider matters related to the acquisition of properties at Rhebogue, Limerick; the consequent financial impairment for UL and the associated implications in relation to governance, financial management, and potential future funding. This follows the revaluation of the acquired properties at the end of last year and the serious impairment that must be reflected in the University’s financial statements for the year end, 30 September 2023.

At the meeting today the governing authority reviewed and considered the findings of an independent factfinding report that had been commissioned in February 2024 to establish the key facts in relation to the acquisition of the properties. The governing authority has determined that certain university personnel should be afforded the opportunity to review its content and submit written observations on its findings. Once responses have been received, the governing authority will meet to determine the appropriate next steps.

The governing authority also considered a written request dated March 26, 2024 from the Higher Education Authority asking it to undertake a review of specific issues in relation to the acquisition of the Rhebogue properties and in relation to general governance and culture of the University. The governing authority is engaging closely and regularly with the HEA to confirm the terms of reference for this review which are expected to be finalised shortly. The governing authority will move quickly to ensure that the review and report are completed within the specified deadline.

Commenting today, the chancellor of University of Limerick, Professor Brigid Laffan said: ”I am proud and humbled to have been appointed Chancellor of this great University in November of last year. I want nothing more than to help steer this esteemed academic institution that is renowned worldwide for its research and learning, into the future. It is with profound upset and disappointment that instead of dedicating all my energies to that task, I must instead focus on addressing this issue of governance and financial management. It is a matter of significant regret that we find ourselves in this very difficult situation. This is a critical matter for me and for the governing authority as a whole. It is essential that the facts are established, that measures are taken to ensure that something like this never happens again, and that there is accountability.

“The reputation of this university is of the utmost importance to me and to my fellow members of the governing authority. We take matters of governance, financial management and transparency, extremely seriously and this issue is being dealt with as a matter of the highest possible priority. We will do all that we can to restore the university’s reputation and to rebuild trust with the University community and with all stakeholders. I want to thank the staff of the University and the students for their continued focus on learning and excellence despite the negativity that surrounds them.”

The governing authority will continue to provide relevant updates in respect of developments to the University community and all relevant stakeholders as and when available and appropriate."