The Higher Education Authority does not compile statistical information on teaching and research staff on a faculty basis. In the university sector, the overall number studying science and engineering, including computing and information technology, has increased from 10,800 full-time students in 1989-90 to 18,808 full-time students in 1998-99.
The trend in teaching staff in the areas of science and applied science and in engineering and technology in the institute of technology sector over the past ten years is not readily available.
With regard to the trend in student numbers, the number of full-time students studying engineering, including architecture, in institutes of technology increased from 6,785 in 1989-90 to 11,044 in 1998-99. The number of students studying science in the institutes increased from 4,154 to 10,299 in the same period.
Figures available from Forfás in respect of researchers indicate that there was an overall increase of 661 full-time equivalent researchers in the higher education sector from 1990 to 1998.