Secondments - Is there a Proper Way

In recent years, the issue of human resources (HR) integrity within Ireland’s educational sector, particularly concerning secondments in Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science (DFHERIS), has garnered increased attention. Secondments, which involve temporarily transferring staff between institutions or departments, are designed to encourage collaboration and skills development. However, concerns have emerged about the management of secondment budgets, transparency, and the lack of sufficient government oversight, particularly about ETBI’s adherence to DFHERIS guidelines.

DFHERIS Expectations for Secondments:

DFHERIS, which oversees Ireland’s further and higher education sectors, including adult education, has set clear expectations for managing secondments. These temporary transfers are expected to be justified by the need for skills transfer or policy implementation and must be financially accountable. DFHERIS aims to ensure that secondments provide mutual benefits to both the sending institution and the receiving body, without placing undue financial burdens on the originating institution.

Specifically, DFHERIS expects ETBI to ensure that secondments do not negatively affect the functioning of Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which must continue operating efficiently despite the absence of seconded staff. Furthermore, the department emphasises the need for transparent reporting and strict adherence to budgetary guidelines to ensure responsible management of public funds.

ETBI’s Divergence from DFHERIS Guidelines:

Despite these expectations, ETBI has faced criticism for not fully complying with DFHERIS’s standards. Reports from the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General and media investigations have highlighted issues such as the extension of secondments beyond their original timeframes without adequate justification. This has raised concerns about the integrity of HR practices, as extended secondments can result in ETBs continuing to pay staff salaries without receiving clear benefits from their absence.

Additionally, there have been reports of insufficient transparency in how secondments are justified and managed. ETBI’s HR departments have not consistently provided detailed accounts of the costs and benefits of secondments, leading to worries about inefficiency and potential financial mismanagement. The Irish Comptroller and Auditor General’s reports have called for stricter auditing and stronger oversight to ensure that secondments align with DFHERIS’s expectations.

Financial Strain on ETBs:

One of the major concerns related to ETBI’s management of secondments is the financial strain it places on ETBs. When staff are seconded for extended periods, the originating ETB often continues to bear the costs of their salaries and other expenses, even though the seconded staff are no longer contributing directly to the ETB’s operations. This can be particularly challenging for Adult Education programs, which already operate under tight budgets and limited resources. Although DFHERIS expects ETBI to manage secondments in a way that avoids financial pressures, reports indicate that this has not always been the case.

The lack of proper oversight has allowed extended secondments to persist, contributing to inefficiencies across multiple ETBs. This has raised concerns about the ethical management of public funds and whether these resources are being used in line with DFHERIS’s strategic objectives for the education sector.

Lack of Oversight and Accountability:

The gap between DFHERIS’s expectations and ETBI’s practices is largely due to insufficient oversight. While DFHERIS is responsible for setting policies and guidelines, the implementation falls to ETBI and individual ETBs. However, reports from the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General and media investigations have revealed that auditing processes within ETBI are often inadequate, allowing inconsistencies in secondment management to go unchecked.

Secondment practices may lead to resource misuse and a lack of accountability without regular and rigorous audits. This undermines the integrity of HR processes within ETBI and weakens public confidence in the management of Ireland’s educational sector.

Consequences of Misalignment:

The misalignment between ETBI’s management of secondments and DFHERIS’s expectations has significant consequences for the educational sector. First, it threatens to erode trust in ETBI’s HR operations, particularly when secondments are extended without sufficient justification or oversight. This undermines the credibility of HR practices and raises concerns about potential financial mismanagement or favouritism.

Second, the financial strain on ETBs can directly impact service delivery, especially in Adult Education programs. As resources are diverted to cover the costs of secondments, the quality of educational and training services may suffer, ultimately affecting learners.

Conclusion:

ETBI’s management of secondments has not always aligned with DFHERIS’s expectations regarding transparency, financial accountability, and adherence to timeframes. Reports from the Irish Comptroller and Auditor General and media investigations have underscored the need for stronger oversight and clearer reporting mechanisms to ensure ethical and efficient management of secondments. To restore confidence in ETBI’s HR practices, both DFHERIS and ETBI must work together to implement more rigorous auditing processes and ensure that secondments are managed in a way that benefits both institutions and the broader education sector.

References:

Irish Comptroller and Auditor General Reports (2014–2023)

DFHERIS Annual Reports (2020–present)

Media Reports (The Irish Times, The Irish Independent)