35. (1) An tÚdarás shall, with the approval of the Minister, prepare and establish a performance framework for the higher education and research system (in this section referred to as a “performance framework”) at intervals of not less than once every 5 years and may publish the performance framework in such manner as it considers appropriate.

(2) An tÚdarás shall, for the purposes of preparing or amending a performance framework, consult with—

(a) representatives of students of designated institutions of higher education,

(b) designated institutions of higher education or their representative bodies, and

(c) such other body or person as An tÚdarás considers appropriate.

(3) A performance framework shall specify the following:

(a) priorities and outcomes at a national level that An tÚdarás, following consultation with the Minister, wishes to achieve as respects higher education with the public moneys allocated or to be allocated thereto during the period to which the performance framework relates;

(b) the performance objectives for the higher education providers that are connected to the provision of funding to those providers;

(c) the implementation, monitoring, assessment and reporting processes to be followed and complied with by higher education providers.

(4) An tÚdarás shall, in preparing a performance framework, have regard to the following:

(a) the strategy for tertiary education under section 33, taking account of the diversity of functions, objects and priorities of different higher education providers,

(b) national policy and objectives with regard to higher education and research, and

(c) the matters and outcomes whose implementation is sought to be prioritised.

(5) An tÚdarás shall review a performance framework from time to time as it considers appropriate and may, following a review and with the approval of the Minister, amend the performance framework.

(6) An tÚdarás shall prepare a report on a regular basis on the performance framework which—

(a) shall include information on the implementation of the performance framework, including the achievement of the objectives contained in it, and

(b) may include information on the performance of an individual relevant body or an individual designated institution of higher education that is not a relevant body (within the meaning of section 36).

(7) An tÚdarás shall submit the report under subsection (6) to the Minister and may publish the report in such manner as An tÚdarás considers appropriate.