Anger at university chiefs' €200k plus salaries
University chiefs were today accused of hypocrisy in banking massive salaries while students face the prospect of having to pay third-level fees.
The top 50 earners at the colleges, including UCD, Trinity College and NUIG, reportedly bagged €10m between them last year in pay, bonuses and expenses.
The Union of Students of Ireland demanded the Government carry out an investigation into university spending and impose stricter controls.
Shane Kelly, USI President, said: “This latest revelation illustrates the systemic failure of our top universities to keep their costs under control.
“It is patently clear that the call for the reintroduction of third level fees is being fuelled by the inability of our universities to manage their finances properly.
“It is not sustainable for members of university top brass to be getting paid more than the president of the country.”
The top-wage earners include UCD president Dr Hugh Brady.
UCD said its staff salaries were reported to the Higher Education Authority.
A UCD spokesman said: “UCD has at all times openly reported all of the remuneration of all of its staff to the HEA as the appropriate body to which it is accountable in common with its peers; the university does not discuss or comment on any individual cases outside that reporting relationship.”
Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe will bring proposals to Cabinet on third-level fees next month, saying students making a contribution towards the cost of their education was essential to ease pressure on the Exchequer.
But the USI said the massive salaries revealed the inequalities within the third-level sector, claiming the money could be used to send dozens of underprivileged students to college.
Mr Kelly said: “USI is now calling on the Government to immediately impose stricter controls and regulations on the expenditure of our universities, and to conduct a detailed investigation into their spending habits, which seem to be spiralling out of control.
“It is clear that the bonuses, expenses and allowances given to these managers and academics would be better spent ensuring that third level is a realistic option for every student sitting their leaving certificate next year, rather than further lining the pockets of our extremely well paid academics and top management.”
