Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1987

Vol. 373 No. 2

Written Answers. - Third Level Staffing Restrictions.

287.

Mrs. Hussey

asked the Minister for Education if, at a meeting in her Department on 15 May 1987, the principals of regional technical colleges and chief executive officers of vocational education committees were told, inter alia, that (a) all part time teaching hours in RTCs were to be stopped from autumn, 1987; (b) all temporary whole time posts were to be stopped; (c) all half time whole time posts were to be stopped; (d) if she might consider filling not more than 10 per cent of vacancies arising in staff; and (e) if these new restrictions applied also to the Dublin Institute of Technology.

288.

Mrs. Hussey

asked the Minister for Education if she has satisfied herself that all third level courses announced by the regional technical colleges, the universities, the NIHE colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology, in their brochures and application forms for this autumn will actually take place in view of the new staffing cutbacks announced by her Department to the various third level sections at recent meetings in her Department.

289.

Mrs. Hussey

asked the Minister for Education if new staffing restrictions affecting regional technical colleges, the Dublin Institute of Technology and the university sector have been announced to the various sectors at recent meetings with each group; and if she will give the details of the new staffing restrictions announced by her Department.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287, 288 and 289 together.

In relation to the regional technical colleges and colleges of technology my Department invited the chief executive officers and the principals of the colleges concerned to a meeting in my Department on 15 May 1987 to outline the implications for the colleges of the Government's Budget Statement in relation to staffing in the public service. It was explained to the meeting that my Department was in consultation with the Department of Finance in the matter and that the views of the college representatives would be taken into account in any discussions with that Department. A similar meeting had been held with the Higher Education Authority on 12 May 1987 regarding the universities and designated institutions.

At a further meeting in my Department on 28 May 1987 the chief executive officers and principals of the colleges concerned were informed that the outcome of these discussions was that between now and the end of 1988 the gross pay bill in the sector is to be reduced by 4 per cent in volume terms. This is to result from a saving of 1 per cent of the gross pay bill in the calendar year 1987 and a further 3 per cent in 1988.

The application of the Government's Budget Statement in the HEA sector is still being considered. While the educational institutions are still considering their position in this matter I have no reason to believe that essential activities in the third level sector will be seriously curtailed by the application of the Government's decision.