21. (1) An tÚdarás shall prepare and submit to the Minister, not later than 28 days following notification of the amount to be advanced to An tÚdarás by the Minister under section 19 for the next financial year, an annual plan (in this section referred to as the “annual plan”) relating to the performance of its functions.

(2) An annual plan shall—

(a) outline the proposed activities for An tÚdarás for the period to which the annual plan relates and the performance targets relating to those activities,

(b) specify the proposed allocation of the total resources (both financial and persons) of An tÚdarás for the period to which the annual plan relates,

(c) specify the monitoring arrangements for the performance targets,

(d) specify the reporting arrangements to the Minister,

(e) specify how An tÚdarás shall have regard to its objects under section 8,

(f) contain any other information specified by the Minister, and

(g) accord with the guidelines, policies and objectives of the Minister and the Government as they relate to the functions of An tÚdarás.

(3) In preparing the annual plan, An tÚdarás shall have regard to the corporate plan under section 20 and the strategy for tertiary education under section 33 and any directions given or guidelines issued by the Minister under subsection (4).

F5[(3A) An tÚdarás shall, in preparing the annual plan, consult with Taighde Éireann.]

(4) The Minister may, from time to time, give directions or issue guidelines to An tÚdarás concerning the preparation of the annual plan.

(5) An tÚdarás shall implement the annual plan prepared in accordance with subsection (2) unless the Minister, within 30 days of the submission to him or her of the annual plan, directs An tÚdarás in writing to amend the annual plan if, in the opinion of the Minister, the annual plan—

(a) does not contain the information required under subsection (2),

(b) does not comply in some other respect with subsection (2), or

(c) has been prepared without sufficient regard to the matters specified in subsection (2) or (3).

(6) When giving a direction to An tÚdarás under subsection (5), the Minister shall give his or her reasons in writing for the direction.

(7) An tÚdarás shall comply with a direction under subsection (5) within the period, if any, specified in the direction.

(8) An tÚdarás may amend an annual plan, in accordance with a direction under subsection (5) and, where it does so, subsections (2) to (7) shall apply, with any necessary modifications, to the preparation of the amended annual plan as they apply to an annual plan prepared under subsection (1).

(9) An tÚdarás shall—

(a) inform the Minister of the measures taken with regard to the activities and the performance targets outlined in the annual plan and of the outcome of those measures, and

(b) provide that information at intervals specified by the Minister or, if no such intervals are specified, in the annual report under section 23.