Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1279. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a new higher education staffing agreement will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40280/21]
View answerOfficials in my Department are engaging with officials from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Higher Education Authority to agree principles for a new Higher Education Staffing Agreement. This committee intends to be in a position to consult with all stakeholders in Q4 2021 prior to any agreement being finalised.
A new Staffing Agreement will update the current Employment Control Framework and give particular consideration to :
- the different categories of staff covered;
- alignment with new funding streams and contractual commitments in the sector; and- the need for staffing decisions taken in the higher education sector to be affordable and sustainable both from a higher education perspective and also from an Exchequer and wider public service staffing and pension perspective.
My Department will continue to interact with the sector, the HEA and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to make progress in the light of employment data across the sector and the potential to improve the sustainability of arrangements within the resources available.
