1. Implementation Plan for the Higher Education Sector
DPER Circular 02/16:
Arrangements for Digital and ICT-related Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service
Implementation Plan for the Higher Education Sector

2. The HEA’s Role in Governance of Higher Education Institutions
Governance of the higher education system is part of the HEA’s oversight function.
The objective of such oversight is to ensure that the Higher Education Institutions and the higher education system collectively meet the outcomes expected, effectively and efficiently.
The HEA exercises this function through the Governance Framework which includes monitoring of the implementation of the Code of Governance for Institutes of Technology.

3. Governance Framework of the Higher Education System

4. THEA Code of Governance for Institutes of Technology
Section 8.21 of the Code of Governance for the Institutes of Technology states:
“Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 02/2016 must be complied with by Institutes considering expenditure on IT and telecommunications projects, systems and infrastructures:”

5. DPER Circular 02/16 Key Messages
Under Circular 02/16 there is a requirement to complete:
A Start of Year (SOY) Submission Form (Approved by President)
An End of Year (EOY) Submission Form (Approved by President)
Additional Requests for Specific Approval of a Proposal (i.e. New ICT Projects > €25k ex. VAT)
Requests for approval forms must be completed well in advance of a project
All start of year requests must be received by the 28th February of each year
All end of year forms must be received by 28th February of the following financial year
Approval of ongoing expenditure is treated differently

6. Department of Education and Skills Role
ICT Liaison within the Higher Education Sector for ICT-related Expenditure
Facilitate Compliance
Oversight/Administrative Role
Adherence to 02/16 Appendix: General Conditions of Approval that relate to all ICT-related Expenditure
Deals directly with the HEA and DPER but not with individual IOTs
Accountability:
“This Circular does not lessen the accountability of organisations and they continue to be directly responsible for their ICT-related expenditure…
This Circular does not alter other compliance or reporting obligations required of public bodies. In addition, failure by an organisation to apply the terms of the Circular may result in specific approval arrangements being introduced for that organisation and, as applicable, to its parent body or bodies under its aegis.”
Light Touch Regime

8. Stage 1: Within Institution
Commence New ICT Initiative
New Project with expenditure over €25,000
Project is not following Central Strategies, Shared Infrastructures, Procurement Frameworks etc.
There is a significant change to the scope, schedule, deliverables, cost or quality of the project since original approval was granted
Project or expenditure falls into the categories notified by DPER to the nominated ICT Liaison (DES)
Seek approval of Senior Management Team and signature of President
Seek Approval of HEA or or or

9. Specific Approval Request is checked at HEA administrative level
Stage 2: HEA
Institution completes Specific Approval Request with proposal including costs and procurement methodology and sends to HEA
Specific Approval Request is checked at HEA administrative level
Specific Approval Request is approved by Head of System Funding within HEA
HEA forwards Specific Approval Request to the Department of Education and Skills for approval

10. Stage 3: Department of Education and Skills
DES ICT Liaison Officer considers Specific Approval Request – ensuring compliance with governance and sourcing arrangements as per the appendix to circular 02/16
Specific Approval Request is approved at Assistant Secretary level
Department of Education and Skills forwards Specific Approval Request to Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for final approval
The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Office of the Government Chief Information Officer makes final approval
Stage 4: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

11. Start of Year Submission Layout
Attached is a breakdown of the anticipated ICT-related expenditure by the above named body during 20____ in respect of new initiatives, existing initiatives, and non-project expenditure. Total anticipated expenditure for the current year is €______.
The proposed expenditure is in line with, and will adhere to the requirements of Circular 02/16: Arrangements for Digital and ICT-related Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service. Accordingly, I confirm that:
The proposed expenditure has been approved by the Management Board;
The proposed expenditure aligns with relevant strategies and strategic objectives including an overarching ICT/Technology Strategy for the organisation;
Governance arrangements for the management of ICT expenditure are formalised;
Expenditure is informed by the Public Service ICT Strategy, the Reform and Renewal Agendas and initiatives with regard to Shared Services;
Centrally developed procurement arrangements will be utilised where available;
From 28th February 2018, specific prior approval will be obtained from the Department of Education and Skills prior to commencing a new initiative with a potential value of €25,000 or greater, excluding VAT, and prior to initiating a procurement exercise or entering contract negotiations in respect of qualifying expenditure.

12. Anticipated Expenditure
New Projects / Initiatives
Existing Projects / Initiatives
Non-Project Expenditure
Total
Hardware €
Software, Licensing, proprietary Support & Maintenance
Telecommunications
Licensing
Third Party (non-proprietary) Support/Maintenance
Hosting
IT-Related Training
Externally Acquired Resources
IT-Related Consultancy
Contractors
External Service Providers

13. End of Year Submission Template
Attached is a breakdown of the actual ICT-related expenditure by the above named body during 20____ in respect of new initiatives, existing initiatives, and non-project expenditure. Total expenditure was €______.
The expenditure adhered to the requirements of Circular 02/16: Arrangements for Digital and ICT-related Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service. I confirm that:
The actual expenditure has been reviewed by the Management Board;
The proposed expenditure aligned with relevant strategies and strategic objectives including an overarching ICT/Technology Strategy for the organisation;
Governance arrangements for the management of ICT expenditure were maintained throughout the year;
Expenditure was informed by the Public Service ICT Strategy, the Reform and Renewal Agendas and initiatives with regard to Shared Services;
Centrally developed procurement arrangements were utilised where suitable;
From 28th February 2018, specific prior approval was obtained from the Department of Education and Skills prior to commencing any new initiative with a potential value of €25,000 or greater, excluding VAT, and prior to initiating a procurement exercise or entering contract negotiations in respect of qualifying expenditure.

14. Actual Expenditure 20__ New Projects / Initiatives
New Projects / Initiatives
Existing Projects / Initiatives
Non-Project Expenditure
Total
Expenditure Category
Hardware €
Software, Licensing, proprietary Support & Maintenance
Telecommunications
Licensing
Third Party (non-proprietary) Support/Maintenance
Hosting
IT-Related Training
Resources Acquired Externally
IT-Related Consultancy
Contractors
External Service Providers

15. Request for Specific Approval of a Proposal
The Department/Office confirms that this project, business requirements and associated expenditure is approved in line with the requirements of Circular 02/16: Arrangements for Digital and ICT-related Expenditure in the Civil and Public Service.
DGOU approval is requested because it is: a new project / new expenditure / proposed not to use central initiatives / remedial action to an existing project (please delete reason(s) that do not apply and add relevant reason(s)).
(Please delete statement that does not apply)
I wish to seek approval to progress the proposal/project to the next stage (form has been fully completed) or
I wish to seek approval in principle for the proposal/project and a fully completed form will be submitted if it is decided to progress to the next stage.

16. Significant Variation Reason(s) for Significant Variation (variation equal to or greater than + / - 10% of the planned expenditure for each Expenditure Category) in Actual versus Planned Expenditure. 1 2 3 4

17. Existing Projects/Ongoing Expenditure
Existing projects which were previously approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform are exempted.
Recurring annual non-project expenditure is generally exempted unless specified otherwise.
There is no requirement for approval of ongoing expenditure for an approved project unless there is significant variation (+/- 10%) in actual versus planned expenditure.

18. Key Messages Revisited
Requirement to complete:
Start of Year (SOY) Submission Form* (Approved by President)
End of Year (EOY) Submission Form* (Approved by President)
Request for Specific Approval of a Proposal (New ICT Projects > €25k ex. VAT)
Complete request for approval form well in advance of a project
No requirement for approval of ongoing expenditure unless there is significant variation (+/- 10%) in actual versus planned expenditure
*A copy of the SOY and EOY submissions must be available for review, if required, by the C&AG and/or the Internal Audit Unit of the Department of Education and Skills.

19. Summary
Circular 02/16 supersedes previous Department of Finance circulars 02/09 & 02/11
All start of year requests for financial year 2017/18 must be received by 28th February 2018
All end of year forms for financial year 2017/18 must be received by 28th February 2019
All Specific Approval Requests must be signed by the President prior to sending to HEA for approval