Michael D. Higgins
Ceist:14 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her views on the fact that the age profile of university staff is increasing; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - University Staff.
I am aware of specific concerns in relation to the ageing profile of university academic staff. However, I am happy that this problem is now being addressed.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government decision to provide funding to the universities to facilitate a substantial increase in student intake commencing in the 1990-91 academic year. The increase in the resources of the colleges from the increased Exchequer grant and extra student fees will enable them to recruit additional academic staff. That has already commenced.
In addition, special funding is being provided for targeted developments in science and technology and this will facilitate the recruitment of further academic staff over and above those resulting from the increased intake.
These developments will obviously impact positively on the age profile of academic staff in the universities. Of course the age of the people whom the universities recruit and appoint under these measures will be their business. However, on the law of averages, when there is extra recruitment it is usually younger people who are appointed.
Will the Minister agree that an infusion of young blood in the university sector, particularly as technology changes so rapidly, is very important? Will she give an indication as to the extent of the new staff who will be in our universities in the near future?
I accept that new blood is admirable in any institution but there is also great strength in wisdom which sometimes comes with years. I do not know the numbers of people who have come into the institutions following the initiative because we are awaiting information from the Higher Education Authority in that regard. However, over the three years in the Government programme for increased funding, there will be a considerable number of extra staff, including the research and technology area. As I said, the age of the people whom the colleges choose to recruit is their own business.
Will the Minister agree that she should ensure positive discrimination in favour of women when she is considering encouraging universities to take on younger staff?
I do not intervene in matters of that kind. If I did I would be told I was a Nosey Parker——
Encourage them.
——I am told that anyway. I do not believe in appointing women just for the sake of doing so. The best candidate should be appointed and it is up to the interview board to decide whether that is a man or a woman.
While we welcome the fact that there will be some improvement due to the increase in the numbers of pupil intake to redress the age imbalance, has the Minister given any consideration to offering early retirement in universities?
In 1987 and 1988 there was a process of early retirement in the universities. As far as I remember, from my last meeting with the heads, they were of the opinion that they had come to the end of the process of people willing to put themselves forward for early retirement.