The Policy and Strategic Planning section of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for coordinating the development of both the HEA Corporate Strategic Plan and the HEA Annual Plan.

HEA Corporate Strategic Plan

Policy and Strategic Planning oversee and coordinate the development of the HEA Corporate Strategic Plan, a requirement of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (Section 20). The Corporate Strategic Plan 2023-2026 (pdf) was prepared following a consultative process with the HEA Board, the Executive, and with stakeholders, was approved by the HEA Board in 2023, and laid before the Oireachtas in March 2024.

The HEA is in the process of developing the Corporate Strategic Plan 2027-2030 with the findings of the consultation process undertaken in June 2026 informing the development of strategic themes and priorities. The new Plan will build on the achievements of the Corporate Strategic Plan 2023–2026 and will set out the HEA’s ambitions for 2027–2030 in line with the provisions of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022.

The Background Paper – Strategic Directions: Future Challenges and Considerations presenting future scenarios for the Sector over the coming decades was prepared to support the development of the Plan and to facilitate sectoral responses to the consultation process.

It is expected that the Plan will be finalised in the first quarter of 2027 and the HEA looks forward to engaging with the Sector on delivering the Plan’s Strategic Themes and Priorities from 2027-2030.

HEA Annual Plan

Policy and Strategic Planning oversee and coordinate the development of HEA Annual Plans in response to the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (Section 21) and to implement the strategic objectives of the Corporate Strategic Plan. The Board provides guidance and support to the Executive on the development of Annual Plan key objectives and performance targets/deliverables.

The Annual Plan is submitted to the Minister for consideration following approval by the HEA Board. Reports outlining the status of Annual Plan performance targets/deliverables are presented to the Board each quarter and an end of year report outlining the achievement of Annual Plan key objectives is presented to the HEA Board for consideration in quarter one of the following year.