University recruitment embargo will lead to ‘crisis and complete chaos’

A PLANNED recruitment embargo in the country’s third level colleges will restrict their autonomy which is enshrined in law, a union has claimed.

Under a directive to universities and institutes of technology, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has instructed all colleges that academic vacancies can only be filled in exceptional circumstances.

Any recruitment can only be sanctioned with approval from the Department of Finance and Department of Education and even then, the filling of only one-in-three vacant academic posts will be approved.