Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
19. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that he plans to address the ongoing issue of low pay and precarious contracts of many academic staff now exacerbated by the spiralling cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely conscious of the serious concerns as strong inflationary pressures impact on the cost of living for all in our society and communities, including those working in the higher and further education and training sector.
The Government's Summer Economic Statement published earlier this week sets out the Government’s budgetary strategy which will seek to protect public services, allow us to introduce further measures to address the cost of living pressures in the autumn, and at same time maintain fiscally sustainable expenditure into the medium term.
As far as pay levels are concerned, as the Deputy will be aware, WRC-facilitated talks with the public sector trade union movement to undertake a review under “Building Momentum” were recently adjourned and all sides are reflecting on their positions to seek to reach a mutually acceptable position. I know that the official side will continue to engage positively, as they seek to address the concerns which have triggered the review process.
I have engaged as Minister with staff representatives in higher education on issues of concern such as, for example, low pay and short-term contracts. Clearly, a key issue is establishing the scale and scope of these issues. In this regard, a recent HEA report indicated that 11% of headcount are hourly-paid in the technological sector, with 17% falling into this category in traditional universities. It is accepted that data collection of this category is challenging. Institutional report of staff data under the Employee Control Framework will be one element which we will address with the sector in the context of our wider reform discussions.
Funding the Future sets out the Government's objectives for funding higher education on a sustainable basis and my commitment to an ambitious programme of reform to be delivered alongside increased investment. A key priority of this reform process is enhancing the quality and international standing of the higher education system across its three core missions of teaching, learning and research through investment in the higher education workforce.
I am committed to working with our agencies, the sector and key stakeholders including staff representatives to ensuring that the adoption of a sustainable future model of funding will enable - amongst other objectives - steps to be taken to address the issue of precarious work in the sector.
