NUIG employee seeks whistleblower protection

A senior staff member at NUI Galway has ‘blown the whistle’ on alleged malpractice at the university.

The employee, who has sought protection under whistleblower legislation, has made a series of disclosures to the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

The Department of Education and Skills is aware of the case involving alleged wrongdoing and irregularities.

It is understood that a central feature of the complaint relates to the appointment of people to positions within NUIG and to the use of consultants.

The university denies the allegations levelled by the whistleblower.

NUIG has interviewed staff about the allegations and compiled a report for the HEA.

The NUIG report, compiled by a senior member within the institute, is in response to the whistleblower’s dossier. It sets out a rebuttal of the claims.

In a statement in response to a series of questions put to the university, NUIG press office said: “We have no comment on this.”

However, several well placed sources within NUIG have confirmed to the Connacht Tribune that a senior member of staff has made disclosures under the whistleblower legislation that came into force in July, 2014.

The HEA does not comment on individual cases.

For more on this story, see the Connacht Tribune.