Governance of University Subsidiaries

University of Galway has a dedicated Code of Governance for its Subsidiaries (Subsidiaries Code), which was approved by Údarás na hOllscoile in December 2021. University of Galway has four wholly-owned subsidiary companies:

-          Atalia - Student Residences

-          Student Health Unit

-          College Campus Radio

-          Galway University Foundation

The Subsidiaries Code for University of Galway is based on the sectoral Subsidiaries Code developed under the auspices of the Irish Universities Association. It sets out the respective responsibilities of the Subsidiary Board and the Governing Authority of the parent University. It is aligned both to the Companies Act and the Charities Act.

Under the Subsidiaries Code, subsidiaries are categorised in two levels, depending on their size, number of staff and level of turnover etc. Smaller Tier 1 subsidiaries must meet a basic level of compliance. Larger Tier 2 subsidiaries must comply with a more advanced set of requirements.

The Subsidiaries Code is voluntary and operates on a ‘comply or explain’ basis. This means that our subsidiaries are required to confirm that they comply with the Code in their governance practices and procedures and to give reasons if there are provisions which they are not in compliance with. Under the Subsidiaries Code our subsidiaries report on an annual basis to Údarás na hOllscoile.