Bum note as cuts threaten course

Budget cuts could end a long-running, prestigious music course that has produced top performers, such as Mick Flannery, and graduates who work in the entertainment industry worldwide.

Students on two music courses at Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa (CSN) in Cork are outraged that at least three of their six course teachers may lose their jobs next year because of increased pupil-teacher ratios in the further education sector.

With 200 whole-time equivalent posts being axed, part-time lecturers will lose out, but students at CSN say their courses are pointless without their expertise.