Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will reverse the controls imposed on universities and third-level colleges under the revised employment control framework that applies absolute limits to the numbers and grades of staff in teaching, research and administration that is impeding the development and search for knowledge in a modern and diverse society. [25113/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The economic circumstances of the country are such that the staffing moratorium introduced across the public sector by the previous Government in 2009 has to be maintained.

The higher education sector has been given significant latitude within this moratorium relative to other areas of public expenditure. The Employment Control Framework introduced for the sector aims to provide institutions with a greater flexibility around recruitment, on the basis of meeting a required overall reduction in posts.

A 6% reduction in numbers was required over the 2009-2010 period, and this was achieved. A renewed framework covering the 2011 to 2014 period was agreed earlier this year and requires a significantly smaller reduction in posts funded out of core Exchequer grants over this period. It provides institutions with considerable flexibility to fill vacancies, recruit additional staff and make promotions, subject to the requirements of the Framework. Furthermore, the Framework allows for significant increases in the number of fully funded research posts, in recognition of the importance of research activity to future economic development. Institutions are also free to recruit into other posts that are fully funded from external revenue streams.

It should also be noted that the framework for the current period was reviewed by myself and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on taking office following representations from the sector. A number of clarifications and changes were agreed, including the removal of a ceiling on research and non-exchequer funded posts, and a revised ECF issued in June.