June 11, 2014

The Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) has responded to the publication today of the first ever Performance Report into the Higher Education system by Minister for Education Ruairi Quinn, TD.

Mike Jennings, General Secretary of IFUT said that the Minister’s acknowledgement of the success of the Irish third level system in delivering against international benchmarks was welcome and needs to be heard more often.

‘In acknowledging this, however, it would be important to remember the increasingly difficult circumstances in which students and staff in third-level institutions are forced to operate and the reductions in staffing levels and student facilities that has occurred in recent years. 

‘IFUT’s overall concern is that we not over-congratulate ourselves on our ability to survive on these meagre resources, it is not a long or even medium term option,’ he said.

ENDS

For further information on this media release contact:
John Gallagher, John Gallagher Consulting.  Tel. 087.9369888
Mike Jennings, General Secretary, IFUT.  Tel. 087.6776747.