Madam, – The vast majority of the 3,000 postdoctoral researchers in universities and other third-level institutions are employed on temporary contracts. They have less security of employment than an unskilled employee in general employment. They are conducting research at the very highest international level.
They are making an immense contribution to Irish scholarship generally and to the Irish economy. We are constantly reminded of the value of Irish research in attracting modern industry to Ireland and in fostering the “smart economy”.
But with one notable exception of Trinity College, third-level institutions are developing HR systems designed to prevent the researchers achieving continuity of employment. The most reprehensible arrangement has been put in place at UCD where “post-docs” are deemed to be on a “training course” for four years, after which their employment is discontinued. Under fixed-term legislation, four years is the maximum period for which an employee may be retained without accruing an entitlement to continuity of employment. This is not a coincidence.
The researchers will typically have over 500 points in Leaving Cert, an honours degree and a PhD. They will have served a minimum of seven years in third-level education. Together with the four years on the “training course“they will have accrued 11 years of scholarship at the highest level.
Many have formed families with children and are unable to secure a mortgage due to the temporary nature of their employment.
I appeal to the new Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn, my contemporary at UCD, to act now to end this abuse. – Yours, etc,