Sustaining Progress - Department of Taoiseach

Quality Assurance
24.7 Agreed Quality Assurance arrangements currently provide for student evaluation of course delivery. In
that context it is now proposed that each Lecturer will carry out a formal survey of their students at
least once per academic year using a standard template agreed by the Institute. Each Lecturer will
provide a summary of the survey referred to above under each of the headings in the survey to the
Head of the Department/School/Course Committee; sensitive information will be reported only to the
Head of Department/School as appropriate. It is agreed that staff and students will be provided with
an opportunity to provide feedback on course delivery and provision using an agreed template.
Service to Students
24.8 It is agreed that staff will provide adequate cover to deal with examination rechecks, reviews and
appeals in order that students will be dealt with in a timely manner and will not be disadvantaged.
The detailed arrangements for this service will be agreed locally between management and staff.
24.9 Staff will provide adequate and regular supervision to postgraduate students during the course of
research projects.
(iii) Administrative/Management Grades
24.10 Staff will co-operate with the introduction of modularisation and/or semesterisation.
24.11 Work arising from the provision of additional courses and undertaken during the normal working day
will form part of normal duties.
24.12 It is agreed also that full co-operation will be given to the introduction of new or enhanced
information technology systems.
Common Recruitment Pool
24.13 The common recruitment system for Clerical/Administrative grades has been in place for over twenty
years. The system provides for the filling of certain posts (at Grade IV to VII level) by competition
confined to employees of Health Boards, Local Authorities, VECs, Institutes of Technology and certain
other health and local government agencies (known as the “Common Recruitment Pool”).
24.14 It is accepted that a more intensified focus is required on the modernisation of human resource
management, the continued promotion of open recruitment procedures and the continued promotion
of the health, local authority and education sectors as employers of choice.
24.15 In recognition of the nature of the “Common Recruitment Pool” system, the relevant parties agree
to conduct a cross-sectoral review of recruitment issues pertinent to the grades, including greater
accessibility and the introduction of a graduate entry level. The review will commence immediately
and will report with recommendations within twelve months.
Part 2 Pay and the Workplace
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