Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have to disagree with the Minister of State because this research shows very clearly that on the ground, things are not happening. On the ground, precarious employment across the third-level sector is at an all-time high. The Minister, Deputy Harris, is talking the talk but he is certainly not walking the walk in this regard.

One of the key aspects that is missing is collective bargaining with the employer body, namely, the Irish Universities Association, IUA. What the Minister needs to do is instigate that immediately. We need tripartite bargaining between the union, IFUT, the IUA and Department because when they talk to universities, the message they are getting back constantly is that it is the Department that is blocking progress in enabling universities to take on people on a permanent basis. This situation is not just unsatisfactory; it is entirely unacceptable. Four years into this Government, the level of precarity is worse than it is ever been. We need and must see the Government do better.