The contentious issue of salary remuneration for Irish academics has attracted considerable media attention with claims that Irish academia is grossly overpaid in comparison to our EU counterparts.
While it is arguable that several academics of international standing and reputation are worthy of some ‘super sized’ remuneration packages, there are several more who are clearly not and the attempt by University presidents to justify their recruitment and remuneration packages on the basis of ‘world class’ research has been openly challenged.
Contrary to the ongoing onslaught by the popular media on public service remuneration packages within Higher education and apart from some exceptional super sized instances, most academic staff at Irish Universities are salaried to levels that are comparable to our EU counterparts.
In on going independent research at the reputable European University Institute, the Max Weber Programme (MWP) Academic Careers Observatory has monitored salaries for academics across Europe, Canada and the United States. In their research, the level of remuneration for Irish academics is compared to all other EU states.
According to their research, a lecturer at an Irish University can expect to be paid on average €4,000 – €6,500/month. In Holland this level ranges from €4,242 – €6,841. In France, €4,305 – €5,904, Denmark, €4,963- €5,499 and Italy €3,000 – €6,232. In Switzerland, a junior lecturer/fellow will receive on average €4,725/month.
In Switzerland for example, salaries and increments are fixed by regulations on civil service. Entry salaries are set according to the job description, qualifications and the candidate’s experience. Each employee is ranked according to a grade. The annual salary is integrated by the 13th monthly wage and location allowance. Salary increments are annual. After 5 years, corporate loyaltly is rewarded with premiums. Child allowance is also available: it was 2,595 for the first child, and 1,675 for each additional child.
It is true that many comparisons are made with academics in Germany where salaries are slightly below the EU average at €3,598/month. In the US, the levels are €4,820/month and rise to €5,785.
In analyzing these figures, the ramifications of the cost of living and in particular current house prices which still remain obscenely high must be factored in and are of course a major contributory factor that accounts for the remuneration packages for lecturers within Irish academia.
It is also worth getting some perspective on these salary packages. Bus drivers currently working for Dublin Bus take home on average €45,000 (€3,750) basic pay that increases up to €70,000 (€5,833) after overtime.
Do we really believe that a lecturer at an Irish University who has spent up to 9 years in Higher Education leading towards their BA/BSC and Ph.D followed by 3-10 year postdoctoral training (invariably abroad) should be reimbursed to the same extent as the bus driver who brings them to work.
If we really want a knowledge based economy founded on learning and innovation, academic staff are an essential and pivotal player that need to be protected and not ridiculed.
'Watchdog' on Higher Education in Ireland 