Ireland – Other community, social and personal services – This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. This notice acknowledges that the Higher Education Authority proposes to contract with Advance HE for the continued provision of support and in respect of the administration of the Athena Swan Charter.

Advance HE is the proprietor of the Athena Swan Charter, the gender equality framework. Ireland entered into an agreement with Advance HE in 2014 to effect cultural and systemic change in participating HEIs to support gender equality. The Athena Swan Charter Ireland was adapted in line with the findings of a national consultation in 2021 and redeveloped in the context of the Irish higher education system. Athena Swan Ireland is now embedded in Irish higher education, with 118 awards now held by institutions and departments (113 Bronze, 5 Silver). Advance HE is the only entity nationally or internationally that can provide access to the Athena Swan Charter for Irish Higher Education Institutions. A change in supplier would oblige the contracting authority to potentially change charter and due to the nature of the importance of using the Athena Swan charter for the reasons outlined above, it is would cause significant difficulties/disruption and inconvenience to both the organisation and the HEI’s. In accordance with Article 32(5)b of Directive 2014/24/EU. Specifically, the contract renewal constitutes additional deliveries by the original supplier. A change of supplier would oblige the contracting authority to acquire material having different technical characteristics which would result in disproportionate technical difficulties in operation.