THE announcement this week that Atlantic Technological University (ATU) could be hiring the largest number of new staff at 192, will not result in a massive recruitment campaign according to the ATU President Orla Flynn.
Speaking to the Donegal News this week Ms Flynn explained that many of these posts are already filled but the announcement now allows them to be put on a statutory footing with a defined funding stream.
Following the 2008 downturn a moratorium was put in place in the hiring of third level staff. The result was a recruitment and promotions embargo.
“After the recession there were big moves to cut the numbers employed in the public sector, with incentive packages to get staff to retire as part of the recruitment ban.
“Over the years this was very frustrating as you might have had a healthy budget you were prevented from hiring.
“We were fortunate in that having international students meant you could ring-fence funds to employ staff. In recent years we got involved in a lot of project based schemes which allowed us to hire more staff.
“We are delighted with the announcement as it allows us to recognise what has already happened and offer these jobs on a more stable basis even if there is no more money coming with it,” President Flynn explained.
She confirmed that CAO numbers are up again this year across the three merged former campuses – GMIT, LYIT and Sligo IT. Numbers have also been boosted by the new Tertiary awards in courses such as Nursing as well as the new Veterinary school.
Posts vacant at ATU are currently advertised on the university’s website.
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