Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he has taken to address the fact that 99 employees in the higher education sector are earning more than €200,000 despite the introductin of a pay ceiling of €200,000 across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34766/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Policy on rates of pay in the education sector forms part of wider public pay policy, including related commitments and reforms under the Croke Park agreement. Of the employees to whom the Deputy refers, 89 are academic medical consultants. Remuneration matters for medical consultants in the main falls within the remit of the Minister for Health. The other ten posts fall into two groups. The first are the four heads of level 1 universities. The revised pay ceiling of €200,000 per annum will apply to future appointments to these posts. The second group consists of six persons appointed under a framework provided for in section 25 (5) (a) of the Universities Act 1997. Remuneration in the case of these appointments is not subject to ministerial sanction and having regard to the Act a pay ceiling may not be imposed. This framework is being reviewed.

The terms of the Government's pay ceiling will be imposed in the case of new appointees. I have written to the chairpersons of the university governing bodies requesting them to ask those individuals who earn in excess of the pay ceiling of €200,000 to make voluntary waivers of salary. Details of the methodology of how such voluntary waivers are to be effected were issued by my Department at the end of October 2011. Given the short time since the arrangements were notified, it is reasonable to allow some time for this matter to be concluded. I assure the Deputy that I am keen to ensure progress is made on this important issue in the coming period.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply. I would be disappointed if there were no instant responses to the Minister's calls for volunteers on this issue. I hope that people volunteer quickly.

I had an earlier question and the reply was somewhat different to the reply given by the Minister. It states that under section 25(4) of the Universities Act 1997, the remuneration of fees, allowances and expenses paid to employees of universities require the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, with the consent of the Minister for Finance. That differs from the Minister's reference to the section. I can appreciate he may not have the detail with him, but perhaps he can check it. There is a contradiction in the data that has been supplied to him. I would like to see the cap enforced as quickly as possible.

Another issue that arises is the amount of class contact time for senior lecturers and academics in our higher education institutions. Are there any proposals to ensure that more time is spent in the classroom in contact with the students by some of the senior academics?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I will have that reference to section 25 followed up and will be in contact with the Deputy. I do not have the exact information available to me. I share the Deputy's view that highly paid academics who are engaged in much research work should also teach. The ideal model expressed to me by the Irish Universities Association and by other professional educationalists is that a well qualified senior lecturer should combine research, teaching and work in the public community to a ratio of 40:40:20.

Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Is it not just about salaries, but also expenses and other extras? Some of these expenses can be as large as the salary. Has the Minister any idea on how that can be tackled?

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I do not, although I have heard many opinions on what needs to be done. I will be meeting with the Higher Education Authority, the Irish Universities Association and the institutes of technology to discuss with them how we can get more with less. I am told by people who say they have knowledge of inside operations that there is room for improvement, but until I see the detail of that, I do not want to move on something on the basis of a mere rumour.