Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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215. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Question No. 66 of 3 November 2016, whereby in Irish universities some staff receive permanency whereas others, mainly non-academic staff, have recourse to only one-, two- and three-year fixed-term contracts; the number of these staff that have had permanent and pensionable contracts provided to them since 2009; the years in which they were provided; the relative grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34566/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Report of the Chair of the Expert Group on Fixed Term and Part-Time issues in Lecturing in Ireland was published in July 2016 and the Report contains a number of recommendations that will assist in addressing concerns raised about the level of part-time and fixed-term employment in lecturing in the third level sector. My Department has issued directions to the sector to implement the recommendations contained in the report in accordance with the terms of the Lansdowne Road Agreement and it is my understanding that the institutions are doing so.

Under the Universities Act 1997, universities in Ireland are autonomous institutions and therefore have responsibility for the day to day management of their own affairs, including issues relating to the awarding of permanent and fixed-term contracts. My Department does not hold or collect data in relation to the number of staff who have had permanent and pensionable contracts provided to them since 2009; the years in which they were provided or the relative grades.