Third-level cuts 'will hamper our recovery'
Tuesday November 10 2009
cuts to third-level education will hamper economic recovery, a college head warned yesterday.
Dublin City University president Professor Ferdinand von Prondzynski slammed money-saving measures proposed by An Bord Snip Nua and claimed learning institutions were key to the country's escape from recession.
The professor said the redundancies, research savings and student support cuts recommended in the McCarthy report would seriously undermine progress made by Irish learning institutions.
"If we downgrade our universities, undermine their financial viability, cut their research and control them centrally, they will cease to be a magnet for international investment in Ireland," Prof von Prondzynski said.
"Ireland's drive to recover prosperity and growth will not succeed so easily."
The report compiled by economist Colm McCarthy proposes €140m worth of third-level staff cuts and a €27.5m reduction in research funding.
It also recommends the withdrawal of more than €70m from student support schemes.
- Jeananne Craig
Irish Independent
