Underfunding of PhD researchers could lead to collapse in highly skilled workers, Dáil committee hears

Higher education committee hears shift in Government policy on visa approvals is affecting international recruitment and hitting one of the main drivers of university revenue streams

Daniel Walsh: 'If there isn't adequate funding put into this sector, it's going to collapse, ultimately.' Picture: Tommy Clancy

Ireland’s advanced knowledge economy and production line of highly skilled workers could “collapse” if PhD researchers are continually underfunded, it has been claimed.

Speaking at the higher education committee, Daniel Walsh, president of the national student union AMLÉ, said Ireland’s investment in postdoctoral research was approaching a crisis point.