Find information on how to make a Protected Disclosure under the external procedures in place in the HEA.
Public Sector Information
How does the procurement process work?
Tenders for Services over €25,000 are published on the e-Tenders website.
All contracts with an estimated value above €25,000 and below the European Union (EU) threshold of €215,000 must be advertised on www.etenders.gov.ie and awarded in accordance with National Public Procurement Guidelines. All thresholds are exclusive of VAT.
You can search for current and expired tenders from the Higher Education Authority through the e-Tenders notice search.
- To search for current tenders: In the Filters Section choose ADVANCED CATEGORY SEARCH and from the Authority drop down menu select Higher Education Authority. Click search to view the list of current open Tenders.
- To search for expired tenders: Follow the same procedure but make sure to click the box Search within expired RFT’s.
A significant number of larger tenders are handled at national level by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). Contracts that are awarded through the OGP are advertised nationally. Once a contract is in place and the Higher Education Authority is one of the contracting entities, procurement from these contracts will be through the relevant framework or mini competition process. In these cases, the HEA or the OGP cannot add additional companies to these frameworks once the initial procurement procedure has been completed. It is therefore very important that suppliers refer to the eTenders or Procurement.ie website for any national framework/tendering competitions.
All contracts with an estimated value above the EU threshold of €215,000 (ex VAT) must be advertised in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). Contracts above threshold are awarded in accordance with the provisions of the EU Public Procurement Directive 2014/24/EU. This directive was brought into Irish law by the European Union (Award of Public Authority Contracts) Regulations (S.I. No. 284 of 2016).
You can download the HEA Procurement Policy and the HEA Corporate Procurement Plan below.
HEA Corporate Procurement Plan, 2023 - 2026
Public Sector Equality & Human Rights Duty Implementation Plan
This implementation plan sets out the ambition, approach, and steps to be taken by the HEA to implement the public sector equality and human rights duty (the Duty), across all of our function areas.
The Duty requires public bodies to have regard to the need to:
- Eliminate discrimination
- Promote equality
- Protect human rights for service users, policy beneficiaries, and employees, across all function areas
HEA Public Sector Equality & Human Rights Duty Implementation Plan
Fraud Policy
The HEA is committed to the prevention and detection of fraud in order to minimise any potential losses due to fraudulent activity. Accordingly, the HEA expects the highest standards of ethical behaviour from staff, higher education institutions and bodies, suppliers and others who conduct transactions with the HEA. The HEA has no tolerance for fraud.
Invoice and Payments
The European Communities (Late Payment in Commercial Transactions) Regulations, 2012 shall apply to all payments. Incorrect invoices will be returned for correction with consequential effects on the due date of payment.
Under Government Decision S 29296 [1] of 19 May 2009 on Prompt Payments, all government departments/offices are committed to reducing the payment period to suppliers for commercial transactions from 30 to 15 calendar days on receipt of a valid invoice, as a means of easing cashflow difficulties for businesses. Please note, Prompt Payment Interest will not accrue until 30 days have passed.
Please be advised that the Higher Education Authority operates specific procedures regarding the purchase of goods and services and subsequent payments. As part of these procedures, and to meet the 15-day payment target for valid invoices, suppliers are asked to please ensure the following when issuing invoices:
- Correct invoices are sent directly to Accounts Payable and not to individually named staff members
- Accurate bank account details are provided
- Ensure Tax Clearance status with the Irish Revenue Commissioners is up to date
A valid invoice must contain the following:
- The name and address of the business or company
- A valid VAT registration or PPS number
- Date of the invoice
- Invoice number
- The amount of the invoice
- Purchase Order number where applicable
- A description of the goods or services provided
Invalid invoices will be returned to suppliers for correction.
A VAT invoice must comply with Revenue’s requirements.
Payment Process and Remittance
The method of payment is by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). A remittance advice will issue by email where we have an email address on file, or by post.
Payment will only be made for invoices once all the above conditions are met and once relevant agreements or contracts between the HEA and the Supplier have been complied with.
Late Payments
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science publishes an amalgamated return from each body/agency under its aegis, including the Higher Education Authority, on a quarterly basis. gov – Prompt payments by the department (www.gov.ie)
The HEA return can be found under the “Aegis Bodies” subheading and below
Purchase Orders
The Higher Education Authority is committed to publishing a summary report of all payments made for goods and services in excess of €20,000. Details will be published quarterly in arrears on this page:
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2022, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2022, Q3
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2022, Q2
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2022, Q1
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2021, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2021, Q3
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2021, Q2
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2021, Q1
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2020, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2020, Q3
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2020, Q2
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2020, Q1
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2019, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2019, Q3
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2019, Q2
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2019, Q1
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2018, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2018, Q3
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2018, Q2
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2018, Q1
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2017, Q4
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2017, Q3 (187 KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2017, Q2 (185 KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2017, Q1 (87KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2016 (94KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2015 (186KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2014 (131KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2013 (130KB)
HEA Purchase Orders over 20,000, 2012 (183KB)
Tax Compliance
Tax Clearance is required for all suppliers where the annual turnover with the HEA is €10,000 (inclusive of VAT) or more in a rolling twelve-month period. Payment will be withheld until this is received. Non-residents are also subject to this requirement.
Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) will be deducted from the net of VAT amount of all invoices/fee notes relating to the provision of professional services.
Full details of the requirements in relation to Tax Clearance and Professional Services Withholding Tax (PSWT) together with application forms are available on the Revenue Commissioners website.
Government departments, State agencies and other bodies are required to file annual returns to Revenue. Certain types of payments are excluded. Further details are available on the Revenue Commissioners website under the Third party returns for Government departments and agencies.
Under the Regulations, all departments / bodies making payments should obtain tax reference numbers from suppliers which should be included on the government payments return. The Higher Education Authority must ensue, before engaging with suppliers, that each supplier must provide their tax reference number in advance of any engagement.
Regulation of Lobbying Act
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 is designed to provide information to the public about who is lobbying whom about what. The Standards in Public Office Commission have established an online register of lobbying at www.lobbying.ie
The HEA is not a member of any think tanks, lobbying or representative groups nor does it fund any.
Designated Public Officials for the HEA:
- CEO – Dr Alan Wall
- Deputy CEO – Orla Nugent
Protected Disclosures
Internal Protected Disclosures
The following information pertains to the process for making a Protected Disclosure under the internal procedures. If you are looking for information regarding the External Procedures in place in the HEA to support workers making a Protected Disclosure to the CEO of the HEA as a prescribed person in accordance with the provisions of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 as amended by the Protected Disclosures (Amendment) Act 2022, please visit this page for further information- https://hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/governance/protected-disclosures/
Introduction to the Internal Process for making a Protected Disclosure
The HEA is committed to maintaining an ethical and open workplace culture. In accordance with the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (as amended), workers, including job applicants, have the right to report concerns about relevant wrongdoing in the workplace without fear of retaliation.
The HEA maintains an internal reporting channel for protected disclosures. Information on how to make a protected disclosure is available in our Protected Disclosures Policy, accessible via the link below.
HEA Internal Protected Disclosures Policy
Who does this Policy apply to?
This policy applies to all workers as defined in section 4 of the 2022 Act, which includes current and former employees, independent contractors, trainees and agency staff in the HEA. While the Act only applies to workers; volunteers and members of the public may disclose wrongdoing and any such disclosures will be appropriately assessed and investigated. “Worker” in this context also includes volunteers, unpaid trainees, board members, shareholders, members of administrative, management or supervisory bodies and job applicants (where information on a relevant wrongdoing is acquired during the recruitment process or during pre-contractual negotiations).
Contact Details
Workers can use the following email address to make reports to HEA:
Write to: Head of Corporate Affairs, Higher Education Authority, 3 Shelbourne Buildings, Shelbourne Rd, Ballsbridge Dublin 4.
Email: protecteddisclosures.internal@hea.ie
Making a Report
What should be included in a disclosure
It is recommended that, at a minimum, disclosures should include the following details:
(a) That the disclosure is being made under the “Internal Policy for Making a Protected Disclosure to the Higher Education Authority.
(b) The discloser’s name, position in the organisation, place of work and confidential contact details;
(c) The date of the alleged wrongdoing (if known) or the date the alleged wrongdoing commenced or was identified.
(d) Whether or not the alleged wrongdoing is still ongoing.
(e) Whether the alleged wrongdoing has already been disclosed and if so, to whom, when, and what action was taken.
(f) Information in respect of the alleged wrongdoing (what is occurring / has occurred/ is likely to occur and how) and any supporting information,
(g) the name of any person(s) allegedly involved in the alleged wrongdoing (if any name is known and the worker considers that naming an individual is necessary to report the wrongdoing disclosed); and,
(h) any other relevant information.
Protection of Confidentiality
The HEA has a duty to keep the identities of reporting persons and persons concerned confidential during this process. This is managed by restricting access to the identities to only those designated to investigate the disclosure, and by ensuring there are secure contact channels as per the below that workers can use to make disclosures.
Further Advice
Comprehensive and independent information and advice is available from Transparency International Ireland. They have a Speak Up helpline where reporting persons can seek advice – including legal advice – on making a protected disclosure. You can contact Transparency International Ireland:
- On their Speak Up Helpline on 1800 844 866
- E-mail at admin@transparency.ie
- Securely online at speakup.ie
- By using the Signal app to send an encrypted message at 087 3859996 (www.signal. org)
HEA Data Protection Notice Protected Disclosures
Protected Disclosures Annual Report
Under section 22 of the Protected Disclosures Act 2014:
(1) Every public body shall prepare and publish not later than 31 March in each year a report in relation to the immediately preceding year in a form which does not enable the identification of the persons involved containing information relating to the matters specified in subsection (2).
(2) Those matters are—
- the number of protected disclosures made to the public body,
- the action (if any) taken in response to those protected disclosures, and
- such other information relating to those protected disclosures and the action taken as may be requested by the Minister from time to time.
The nil reports for HEA Protected Disclosures from 2019-2025 can be accessed below.
HEA Internal Protected Disclosures Policy
Higher Education Authority Quality Customer Service Plan
Comment and Complaint Procedure
Higher Education Authority Unreasonable Conduct Policy
The HEA has a zero-tolerance stance on bribery and corruption
Higher Education Authority Child Protection Guidelines
Contact Details for Oireachtas Queries
Members of the Oireachtas can contact the HEA by email.
HEA queries can be sent to oireachtas@hea.ie
Eolas faoin Earnáil Phoiblí
Soláthar
Foilsítear Tairiscintí Seirbhíse os cionn €25,000 ar shuíomh gréasáin r-Thairiscintí.
Bhí gach conradh ar luach measta os cionn €25,000 agus faoi bhun teorann an Aontais Eorpaigh (AE) €214,000 a fhógairt ar www.etenders.gov.ie agus bronnta i gcomhréir le Treoirlínte Soláthair Poiblí Náisiúnta. Tá gach teorainn gan VAT san áireamh.
Chun tairiscintí éagtha agus reatha a lorg ón Údarás Ardoideachais, lean an nasc seo https://irl.eu-supply.com/ctm/Supplier/PublicTenders do chuardach ar fhógra r-Thairiscintí.
- Reatha – Sa Leathanach Scagairí roghnaigh CUARDACH CASTA AR CHATAGÓIR agus ón roghchlár anuas an Údaráis roghnaigh Údarás Ardoideachais. Déan clic ar chuardach le breathnú ar liosta Tairiscintí oscailte reatha
- Éagtha – lean an nós imeachta céanna ach cinntigh go ndéanann tú clic ar an mBosca cuardaigh laistigh RFT
Déantar tairiscintí móra a láimhseáil ag leibhéal náisiúnta ag Oifig Soláthair an Rialtais (OGP). Déantar fógraíocht náisiúnta ar chonarthaí a bhronntar tríd an OGP. I ndiaidh do chonradh a bheidh i bhfeidhm agus an tÚdaras Ardoideachais mar cheann d’eintitis conartha, beidh soláthar ó na conarthaí sin trí chreat ábhartha nó mionphróiseas iomaíochta. Sna cásanna sin, ní féidir le HEA agus OGP comhlachtaí breise a chur leis na creata sin i ndiaidh don soláthair tosaigh a bheith críochnaithe. Dá bharr sin, is an-tábhachtach do sholáthraithe breathnú ar r-Thairiscintí ar shuíomh Procurement.ie d’aon iomaíocht an chreata/tairisceana náisiúnta.
Ní mór do gach conarthaí le luach measta os cionn teorann AE €214,000 (gan VAT) a bheith fógartha in Iris Oifigiúil an Aontais Eorpaigh (OJEU). Bronntar conarthaí os cionn an teorann i gcomhréir le forálacha Treorach Soláthair Poiblí an AE 2014/24/AE. Bhí an treoir curtha i bhfeidhm i ndlí na hÉireann ag an Aontas Eorpach (Bronnadh Conarthaí an Údaráis Phoiblí) Rialacháin (S.I. Uimh. 284 ó 2016).
HEA Corporate Procurement Plan, 2023 - 2026
Public Sector Equality & Human Rights Duty Implementation Plan
Aistreofar an t-ábhar seo go luath.
Fraud Policy
Aistreofar an t-ábhar seo go luath.
Sonrasc agus Íocaíochtaí
Bainfidh Rialacháin an Chomhphobail Eorpaigh (Íocaíocht Dhéanach in Idirbhirt Tráchtála) 2012 le gach íocaíochtaí. Beidh gach sonrasc mícheart seolta ar ais i gcomhair ceartúcháin le éifeachtaí ar dháta dlite na híocaíochta.
Faoi Chinneadh an Rialtais S 29296 [1] ó 19 Bhealtaine 2009 ar Íocaíochtaí Thráthúla, tá gach ranna/oifigí an rialtais tiomanta do thréimhse íocaíochta a laghdú do sholáthraithe i gcomhair idirbhirt tráchtála ó 30 go dtí 15 lá féilire i ndiaidh sonrasc bailí a fháil, mar bhealach le deacrachtaí sreabhaidh airgid a éascú do ghnóthaí. Tabhair faoi deara nach mbeidh Ús ar Íocaíocht Thráthúil ag fabhrú go dtí gur chuaigh 30 lá thart.
Tabhair faoi deara go n-oibríonn an tÚdaras Ardoideachais nósanna imeachta sonracha maidir le ceannachán táirgí agus seirbhísí agus íocaíochtaí dá éis. Mar chuid de na nósanna imeachta sin, agus chun cloí le targaid íocaíochta 15 lá i gcomhair sonraisc bailí, iarrtar ar sholáthraithe a leanas a chinntiú le linn sonraisc a eisiúint:
- Seoltar sonraisc cearta díreach chuig Cuntais Iníoctha agus ní do bhaill foirne ainmnithe go haonair
- Soláthraítear sonraí bainc cearta
- le cinntiú go bhfuil stádas Imréitigh Cánach le Coimisinéirí Ioncaim na hÉireann nuashonraithe.
Ní mór a leanas a bheith san áireamh le sonrasc bailí:
- Ainm agus seoladh an ghnó nó an chomhlachta
- Clárúchán VAT bailí nó uimhir PPS
- Dáta sonraisc
- Uimhir an tsonraisc
- Méid an tsonraisc
- Uimhir an Ordaithe Cheannaigh más cuí
- Tugtar cur síos ar tháirgí nó seirbhísí
Seolfar sonraisc neamhbhailí ar ais chuig soláthraithe i gcomhair ceartúcháin.
Ní mór do shonrasc VAT cloí le riachtanais Ioncaim.
Próiseas Íocaíochta agus Seoltáin
Tá modh íocaíochta trí Aistriú Ciste Leictreonach (EFT). Beidh comhairle seoltáin eisithe trí r-phoist nuair atá seoladh r-phoist ar chomhad againn, nó trí phost.
Ní dhéanfar íocaíocht i gcomhair sonraisc ach i ndiaidh do na coinníollacha thuas a bheith comhlíonta agus i ndiaidh do gach comhaontuithe nó conarthaí idir HEA agus an Soláthraí a bheith comhlíonta freisin.
Íocaíochtaí Dhéanacha
Foilsíonn an Roinn Oideachais is Scileanna fáltais cónasctha ó gach comhlacht/gníomhaireacht faoina choimirce, lena n-áirítear an tÚdaras Ardoideachais, ar bhonn ráithiúil ag an suíomh gréasáin seachtrach a leanas: https://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Corporate-Reports/Financial-Reports/Prompt-Payment-Returns/Prompt-Payment-Returns-List/
Is féidir le fáltais HEA a aimsiú faoi fo-cheannteideal “Comhlachtaí Coimirce”.
APPENDIX 1(b) Prompt Payments by Public Sector Bodies
Orduithe Ceannaigh
Tá an tÚdaras Ardoideachais tiomanta do thuarascáil achoimre a fhoilsiú do gach orduithe ceannaigh ardaithe i gcomhair táirgí agus seirbhísí os cionn €20,000. Beidh mionsonraí foilsithe go ráithiúil i riaráiste ar an leathanach seo: