The Government decision to freeze spending on research was "potentially disastrous" for the State and for the third-level sector, a university head warned yesterday.
Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, president of NUI Galway, said the Government must honour its commitments to third-level education "in the interests of making the Ireland more competitive" internationally.
Last month, the Government confirmed its intention to "pause capital spending" under the Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions. The decision unleashed a wave of criticism across the third-level sector.
The Conference of Heads of Irish Universities, which represents the seven university presidents, has been seeking to reverse the decision. But there is little evidence the Government will soften its position. The cuts in the research budget and effective cuts in day-to-day spending have created huge funding difficulties.
These problems have been compounded by the decision of the Irish-American billionaire, Mr Chuck Feeney, to end his generous support of the colleges, once current commitments are met. Mr Feeney is thought to have donated over €500 million to Irish colleges in the past decade.
Last week, NUI Galway said €18 million from Mr Feeney's Atlantic Philanthropies would help fund three new projects on the campus. This was the largest single donation received by the college. Dr Ó Muircheartaigh emphasised yesterday that NUI Galway and other universities were working to maximise income from all sources.
"The universities and private philanthropy are playing their part in strengthening the education sector. I call on Government to honour its commitment to higher education in the interests of making Ireland more competitive," he said.
