THE GOVERNMENT is seeking a 6 per cent cut in the higher education staff in the two years to December 2010 – but colleges are to be allowed some flexibility in implementing the cutbacks.
The jobs embargo, in place since last summer, means several hundred of the 4,576 academic posts across higher education will go.
On Friday, the chief executive of the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Tom Boland, circulated college chiefs with details of a revised deal worked out with the Department of Finance.
This revised framework will operate in the sector until December 31st, 2010, it allows for greater flexibility in the filling of vacancies, both academic and non-academic.
This flexibility is subject to several conditions including that colleges operate within a balanced budget.
This could create particular difficulties for UCD and UCC who have a combined accumulated deficit of over €20 million.
Colleges must also continue to respond positively to student demand; ensure that quality is maintained; and assist with restraining programmes.
The Framework requires a minimum 6 per cent reduction in the number of overall core staff will be achieved across the higher education sector by December 31st, 2010, as compared with the numbers in place at December 31st, 2008.
The HEA will allocate the specific reductions required by each institution following analysis of staff and student numbers and discussions with institutions where required.
This will be done as soon as possible and may require some institutions to reduce their numbers by more than 6 per cent. In no case will the minimum required reduction exceed 6.5 per cent.
Critically, the prior approval of the HEA or the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Finance will no longer be required to fill what colleges see as essential vacancies.
The HEA first imposed the restrictions on recruitment in the higher education sector in July.
At Dublin Institute of Technology, the embargo forced management to cut sports and leisure facilities for students.
Last night one senior university figure welcomed the deal.