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Updated to 23 October 2025 (Act No. 10 of 2025 and S.I. No. 506 of 2025)

All effects below are reflected in the most recent Revised Act.

Universities Act 1997
No. 24 of 1997

Contents

Commencement

Section Commencement/Effective Date
Where the commencement and effective dates differ, the effective date is shown below.
 Commencement Information
Whole Act 16 June 1997 Universities Act 1997 (Commencement) Order 1997 (S.I. No. 254 of 1997), art. 2

Amendments and other effects

How AffectedAffecting Provision
Act included in collectively cited Universities Acts 11/2015, s. 11(2)
  25/2006, s. 1(7)
  26/1999. s. 1(3)(c)
Saving for 26/1999, ss. 1 (2), 40 (1)
Functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 451 of 2020 arts. 1(2), 2, 3, schedule 1
S. 3 amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 4(1) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 72(a), (b)
S. 4(2) repealed subject to qualification 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), ss. 5(1), sch. 1 part 1
S. 4(3) repealed subject to qualification 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), ss. 5(1), sch. 1 part 1
S. 4(4) repealed subject to qualification 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), ss. 5(1), sch. 1 part 1
S. 8(1) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 9(5) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 9(5) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 9(6) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 9(7) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 15(1) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 16 substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 73
S. 16(5)(a)(i) am. 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 5(8), sch. 2 pt. 6
S. 16(5)(b)(ii) substit. 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 5(8), sch. 2 pt. 6
S. 16(5)(b)(iv) substit. 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 5(8), sch. 2 pt. 6
S. 16(5)(d)(ii) am. 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 5(8), sch. 2 pt. 6
S. 16(5)(g)(i), (ii) substit. 1/2014, ss. 1(22), 5(8), sch. 2 pt. 6
S. 16A inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 74
S. 16B inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 74
S. 17 substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 75
S. 18(1A), (1B) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 76(a)
S. 18(4) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 76(b)
S. 18A inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 77
S. 19 repealed  31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), 5(1) & sch. 1 part 1
S. 20 repealed  31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), 5(1) & sch. 1 part 1
S. 21 repealed  31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), 5(1) & sch. 1 part 1
S, 22 application restricted 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), 5(2)
S. 23 application restricted 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), 5(2)
S. 23(2) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 23(6) deleted 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 23(7) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 23A inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 78
S. 24(1) am. 25/2006, ss. 1(2), (3), 53(a)(i)
S. 24(2) del. 25/2006, ss. 1(2), (3), 53(a)(ii)
S. 25(1)(a), (b) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 25(1)(c) deleted 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 25(4) functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
S. 25(7) continued application 14/2009, s. 13(1)
S. 25(7) scheme made under S.I. No. 98 of 2010
  S.I. No. 97 of 2010
  S.I. No. 96 of 2010
S. 25(8) unaffected in so far as relates to superannuation 14/2009, s. 9(4)
S. 33(2) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 79
S. 34(1A) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 80
S. 34(4) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 34(5) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 34(6) ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 35 rep. with transitional provisions 28/2012, ss. 1(2)-(3), 6(1), 84 & sch. 2
S. 35 non applic. of. 26/1999, ss. 1 (2), 42 (6)
S. 36(1A) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 81
S. 37(1), (2) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 82(a)
S. 37(2A) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 82(a)
S. 37(5), (6) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 82(b)
S. 37(7) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 82(c)
S. 38(2) am. 10/2011, ss. 1(2), 6, 84
S. 47A ins. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 49 amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 49(b) del. 28/2012, ss. 1(2), 86 & sch. 3
S. 49(b), non applic. of. 26/1999, ss. 1 (2), 42 (6)
S. 49(d) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 50 repealed 31/2022, s. 1(2), (3), s. 5(1) and sch. 1 part 1
S. 52(1) amended 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(2)
  11/2015, ss. 6, 11(5)
S. 53 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
S. 54 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
S. 54(1) amended 31/2022, s. 1(2), s. 145, sch. 4
S. 55 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
S. 56 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
S. 57 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
S. 58 inserted 32/2019, ss. 1(2), 37(3)
Sch. 3 para. 2(3) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(a)
Sch. 3 para. 3(4) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(b)
Sch. 3 para. 3(5) inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(b)
Sch. 3 para. 4(1) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(c)
Sch. 3 para. 6(1) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(d)
Sch. 3 para. 7 substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(e)
Sch. 3 para. 9 amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(f)
Sch. 3 para. 9 functions transferred and references construed S.I. No. 418 of 2011, arts. 1(2), 3 & sch. 1
Sch. 3 para. 10(1) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(g)(i)
Sch. 3 para. 10(3) substituted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(g)(ii)
Sch. 3 para. 11(c) amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 83(h)
Sch. 4 paras. 2A, 2B, 2C inserted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 84(a)
Sch. 4 para. 5 deleted 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 84(b)
Sch. 4 para. 7 amended 31/2022, ss. 1(2), 84(c)
Sch. 4, par. 8 par. ins. 25/2006, ss. 1(2), (3), 53(b)
Sch. 4, par. 9 par. ins. 25/2006, ss. 1(2), (3), 53(b)
Sch. 4, par. 10 par. ins. 25/2006, ss. 1(2), (3), 53(b)
Sch. 5 continued application 14/2009, s. 13(1)

SIs made under the Act

SectionSIs made under the Act
S. 10(1) National University of Ireland, Galway (Change of Name of University) Order 2024 (S.I. No. 62 of 2024)
  National University of Ireland, Dublin (Change of Name of University) Order, 1998 (S.I. No. 447 of 1998)
  National University of Ireland, Cork (Change of Name of University) Order, 1998 (S.I. No. 446 of 1998)
S. 25(7) University College Dublin (Model) Superannuation Scheme 2023 (S.I. No. 429 of 2023)
  Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin Superannuation Scheme 2018 (S.I. No. 393 of 2018)
  National University of Ireland, Maynooth Employee Superannuation Scheme 2017 (S.I. No. 542 of 2017)
  National University of Ireland (Closed) Pension Scheme 2010 (S.I. No. 283 of 2010)
  National University of Ireland, Galway Ollscoil na hÉireann, Gaillimh (Closed) Pension Scheme 2010 (S.I. No. 98 of 2010)
  University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork (Closed) Pension Scheme 2010 (S.I. No. 97 of 2010)
  University College Dublin, National University of Ireland, Dublin (Closed) Pension Scheme 2010 (S.I. No. 96 of 2010)
  National University of Ireland, Maynooth (Closed) Pension Scheme 2009 (S.I. No. 494 of 2009)
  University of Dublin Trinity College (Closed) Pension Scheme 2009 (S.I. No. 493 of 2009)
S. 31(4) Trinity College, Dublin (Supplemental Charter) Order 2022 (S.I. No. 587 of 2022)
S. 33(1) Universities Act 1997 University College Cork National University of Ireland, Cork (S.I. No. 281 of 2005)
S. 54(3) Universities Act 1997 (Section 54(3)) (University Authorisation) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 638 of 2019)