2,000 higher education posts at risk of being axed
Just over half of the 15% spending cut would be achieved through “staffing efficiencies”, with two pages of the report dedicated to the teaching hours of various academic staff. The report said the public spending review group understands there is no provision in relation to teaching hours in academic contracts at the universities, and sets out a need to agree increased teaching hours for non-research staff and minimum teaching commitments for senior academics.
A €70m saving on the annual €300m student support budget is proposed, partly by targeting grants at those taking courses in “priority educational areas” such as science and technology. Union of Students in Ireland president Peter Mannion said it would mean certain people would lose out based on their subject choices at college. It is also recommended that savings could be achieved by adding an asset test to the grant application criteria.
