9. (1) The functions of An tÚdarás shall be to—

(a) promote the objects of An tÚdarás,

(b) promote and support student engagement and student success in higher education and the attainment by students of a high quality educational experience in higher education,

(c) secure and evidence value for money in the expenditure by An tÚdarás of moneys provided to it under section 19,

(d) plan for higher education provision and make recommendations to the Minister on the overall provision of student places,

(e) F1[in co-operation with Taighde Éireann,] plan for research in the higher education system and make recommendations to the Minister on the overall higher education research system,

(f) support the provision of a range of programmes of higher education and training aimed at meeting the educational and skills needs of individuals, business, enterprise, the professions, the community, local interests and other stakeholders locally, regionally and nationally and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, including the educational and skills needs of persons in Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks, and outside of such Areas, Towns and Networks, with regard to the promotion and use of the Irish language,

(g) facilitate co-operation at a national, regional and local level between designated institutions of higher education and other education providers,

(h) co-operate with designated institutions of higher education, the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, An tSeirbhís, F2[Taighde Éireann], Skillnet Ireland, Ministers of the Government and other bodies, as may be appropriate, in relation to the development and provision of higher education and training,

(i) promote, support and fund excellent research in the higher education system in all disciplines in accordance with national research policy and in co-operation, as may be appropriate, with Ministers of the Government, F2[Taighde Éireann and other Government agencies] and such other bodies as An tÚdarás considers appropriate,

(j) provide capital funding and current funding to bodies seeking funding, monitor expenditure by funded bodies and to control or seek a refund of funding in certain circumstances,

(k) measure and assess the performance of designated institutions of higher education with a view to strengthening the performance of the higher education system and the designated institutions of higher education and to ensure their accountability,

(l) support the effective governance of designated institutions of higher education by overseeing appropriate governance frameworks to underpin public confidence in the higher education system and to provide value for money for funding provided and ensure accountability and compliance with those governance frameworks,

(m) assess the performance of funded bodies with regard to securing value for money in the expenditure of funding provided to them by An tÚdarás under this Act,

(n) support equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education, including the participation and success of students in priority groups, or persons in such groups seeking to be students, in higher education,

(o) advise the Minister in relation to national policy on higher education in accordance with section 14, including in relation to the funding required for higher education,

(p) co-operate with An tSeirbhís with regard to the establishment and operation of an Office called the National Apprenticeship Office whose functions shall be to manage, oversee and develop a system of apprenticeships,

(q) promote co-operation and collaboration with regard to higher education (including with regard to the provision of student places and the enrolment of students) with authorities having responsibility for higher education in Northern Ireland, including the promotion of co-operation between designated institutions of higher education and institutions of higher education in Northern Ireland,

(r) without prejudice to paragraph (q), promote co-operation and collaboration with regard to higher education (including the provision of support and funding for projects and initiatives) with authorities having responsibility for higher education in places outside the State, including the promotion of such co‑operation by designated institutions of higher education with institutions of higher education in places outside the State,

(s) provide a recommendation to the Minister in relation to the proposed acquisition or disposal of land, an interest in land or any other property by a designated institution of higher education, where the consent of the Minister is required for such a transaction,

(t) research any matters relating to the objects and functions of An tÚdarás, and

(u) in compliance with Part 6, collect statistical information and maintain an evidence base in order to provide high quality evidence-based policy advice.

(2) An tÚdarás shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the performance by it of its functions.

(3) An tÚdarás may perform any of its functions through or by any member of the staff of An tÚdarás authorised in that behalf by An tÚdarás.

(4) An tÚdarás may perform any of its functions through or by any other persons authorised in that behalf by An tÚdarás.