1,400 job cuts in third-level sector

ALMOST 1,400 staff reductions have been achieved in universities and other third-level colleges in two years, according to new figures from the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

In the two years to the end of 2010, total staff numbers in the universities, institutes of technology and other state-funded colleges fell from 19,405 to 18,055. But the 7% drop in staff, leading to annual savings of €80 million, is set against a 15% rise in full-time student numbers to 156,000.

The figures come after last week’s announcement by Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin that the numbers employed in the public service fell by 5,000 in the last year.