Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 October 2012
110. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider implementing a review of the type of research output by third level lecturers; if he will consider introducing changes to the existing legislation that would mean that university staff would teach a set number of hours, unless they have a full-time research schedule, which is signed off by a high level in-house committee. [44980/12]
View answerThe management of staff and the allocation of their teaching hours is a matter for each university. The duties of academic staff include teaching; research; administration; engagement and scholarly activity. The balance of activities undertaken by each academic may vary as agreed by management in order to ensure fulfilment of their total work requirement. All universities have developed or are developing workload allocation models which are designed to ensure an equitable and transparent distribution of workloads while aiding better decision making on planning and resource allocation. In line with commitments under the Croke Park Agreement, a number of revisions have been made to the contracts for university academic staff which, among other things, deals with duties, flexibility and co-operation, performance management, attendance and hours of work. In addition, all academic staff are required to provide an additional hour per week to facilitate teaching and learning in the university. All universities have confirmed that these revised contractual terms now apply to all academic staff members.There are already a number of processes in place to monitor and review research output. Performance management systems in place in universities consider all activities of academic staff, including research outputs. In addition, research funding agencies monitor outputs and impact from research funding awards.
