Almost 380 staff in Government departments are on career breaks, a third of them for more than three years.

DIFFICULT days still lie ahead for Teagasc. Particular challenges include a reduction of up to 50% in six years in the number of advisors working directly with farmers, if a high rate of retirements continues.

A STAND-OFF between universities and their funding agency over academic autonomy has left hundreds of lecturing posts unfilled despite colleges being given an exemption from the ban on public service recruitment.