The Higher Education Authority (HEA) currently has only 10 members instead of the 19 it should have by law, with two positions vacant for over a year.

Employers are mostly satisfied with Irish graduates but more than a third are still recruiting overseas because of skills shortages.

Universities have reacted angrily to Government plans that will make sure they never again give un-authorised bonuses to staff.

THIRD-LEVEL colleges should be free to hire and fire staff to compete with the world’s best universities, claimed the chair of the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

O2 Ireland is investing €250 million to upgrade its mobile network which will offer third generation mobile services to its customers.