IFUT

IFUT, the only dedicated trade union and professional association in Ireland for third level academic and research staff. RT’s are not an endorsement!

[IFUT @ifut]

⏸️ 12 November action suspended. The IFUT Executive has agreed to suspend the planned work stoppage and rallies while a proposed public service agreement is considered.

This is not acceptance of the deal. The Executive meets Friday 13 Nov to consider it in detail. 📩

Proposal (33 months, 10.75% headline increases): https://t.co/iuYealFqWh

#IFUT #PublicServiceAgreement #IndustrialAction

[IFUT @ifut]

⏸️ 12 November action suspended. The IFUT Executive has agreed to suspend the planned work stoppage and rallies while a proposed public service agreement is considered.

This is not acceptance of the deal. The Executive meets Friday 13 Nov to consider it in detail. 📩

Proposal (33 months, 10.75% headline increases): https://t.co/iuYealFqWh

#IFUT #PublicServiceAgreement #IndustrialAction

[IFUT @ifut]

📢 Thurs 12 Nov: IFUT members join the national 24-hour stoppage and rallies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick & Galway.

👇 Follow your Branch instructions ✊

https://t.co/AkJSHvUhj4

#IFUT #HigherEducation #PublicServiceStrike

[IFUT @ifut]

IFUT members will take part in the 24-hour public service work stoppage on Thursday, 12 November.

Members will withdraw their labour for the full day and join public rallies in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway from 12 noon to 2.00pm.

Ten days of intensive negotiations have not produced proposals capable of resolving the dispute.

The outstanding issues remain clear: pay, protection of living standards, measures for lower-paid workers and local bargaining.

Our previous action demonstrated the collective strength of IFUT members across higher education. On 12 November, we build on that pressure.

IFUT remains ready to reach an agreement. Government now needs to put forward proposals that unions can credibly recommend to members.

[IFUT @ifut]

📍 IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones attended the Bologna Follow-Up Group meeting in Dublin today, marking Ireland's EU Presidency.

🇮🇪 First time IFUT and the TUI have attended. Thanks to DFHERIS for facilitating. 🙏

📸 Annette Dolan (TUI), Agnes Roman and Jorunn Dahl Norgard (ETUCE)

#IFUT #HigherEducation #BolognaProcess

[IFUT @ifut]

📢 IFUT Executive unanimously endorses a 24-hour public service work stoppage on Thursday 12 Nov after ten days of talks produced no credible pay proposal.

✊ Rallies nationwide.
Read the article 👉 https://t.co/4fgMCmF4f6

#IFUT #PublicServicePay #Strike

[Patrick Paul Walsh @ppwone]

Putting People at the Heart of Public Policy

For me, public policy has always been about more than statistics and research. It’s about people, communities and the future we share. 🌍

📊 I have been involved with the Statistical and Social Inquiry Society of Ireland (SSISI) for over 30 years, serving as Honorary Secretary from 2004–2022 and President from 2022–2025.

Throughout my career, I have been passionate about bringing research, education and real-world experience together to help address the challenges facing our society.

As a candidate for the Seanad Éireann Cultural and Educational Panel, I hope to bring this same commitment to evidence-based policymaking, independent thinking and the public interest.

💚 Peace. Prosperity. People. Planet.

Le chéile ar son na síochána, an rathúnais, na ndaoine agus an phláinéid.

🎥 Here’s a clip from my Presidential Address to the SSISI.

▶️ Watch my full Presidential Address here:
https://t.co/0phExGepvy

#PatrickPaulWalsh #Seanad2026 #SeanadÉireann #IFUT #PublicPolicy #HigherEducation #SustainableDevelopment

[IFUT @ifut]

📰 Published in the Irish Times, Letters to the Editor: Frank Jones

Frank Jones, General Secretary of the Irish Federation of University Teachers, asks how the Government can find €8 billion to repay bailout loans early while pleading scarcity on higher education funding. 🎓

📉 Funding the Future (2022) acknowledged a €307m annual core funding shortfall

📉 Since then, the sector's budget has risen by about €174m a year, while student numbers, inflation and pay costs have all grown

📉 Budget 2027 proposes just €10m more, far short of the accumulated deficit

📉 The OECD's Education at a Glance 2026 places Ireland among the lowest spenders on education as a share of GDP

📉 Per student, Ireland spends $14,799 at bachelor's level and above, against an OECD average of $16,405 (PPP-adjusted)

Education pays back through higher earnings, tax revenues, productivity and innovation. Those returns deserve weighing against the projected €90m saving from early repayment.

His conclusion: letting higher education deteriorate while accelerating repayment of old debts is a false economy. ✅

#HigherEducation #IrishPolitics #Budget2027

[IFUT @ifut]

📢 Statement from Frank Jones, General Secretary

Public service pay talks are ongoing, and the indication from negotiators is that we should have a clearer picture by the end of this week.

There is no certainty at this stage that the talks will produce an agreement capable of resolving the dispute. We remain hopeful, however, that the process will deliver an acceptable outcome for IFUT members. As soon as we have substantive news to share, we will update members without delay.

Once again, congratulations and thanks to everyone who took part in our first day of industrial action. It was an enormous success and a powerful demonstration of our collective resolve. We know we can count on that same solidarity and commitment should further action be necessary. ✊

#IFUT #PublicServicePay #HigherEducation

[IFUT @ifut]

IFUT General Secretary Frank Jones launches the “Case for Publicly Funded Higher Education” document at Leinster House as chair of the @irishcongress Group of Further and Higher Education Unions.

Thanks to Senator @LauraHarmon01 for the invite!

#HigherEducation #IFUT

[IFUT @ifut]

⚖️ Labour Court rejects DPER veto on local bargaining in higher education.
Time to get on with tackling precarious employment

📚 Read the full article: https://t.co/UKUPHowSvt

#IFUT #HigherEducation #LocalBargaining

[IFUT @ifut]

🗳️ Meet Prof Patrick Paul Walsh, IFUT’s candidate for the Seanad by-election (Cultural & Educational Panel).

📚 UCD Professor
🌍 Ex-UN SDSN VP Education
⚖️ Evidence-based policy voice

Full profile: https://t.co/ae9rCW5W2R
#IFUT #SeanadByElection #HigherEducation

[IFUT @ifut]

📣 The ICTU Public Services Committee has agreed to suspend the 21 October strike.

Following intensive engagement, including direct intervention by the Taoiseach, a new process led by former Labour Court Chairman Kevin Foley will seek to establish the basis for formal WRC negotiations.

Workers organised. That created leverage. Now we need to turn it into a settlement.

Read more: https://t.co/7x197EvdJN

#IFUT #UnionStrike #HigherEducation

[IFUT @ifut]

📣 The ICTU Public Services Committee has agreed to suspend the 21 October strike.

Following intensive engagement, including direct intervention by the Taoiseach, a new process led by former Labour Court Chairman Kevin Foley will seek to establish the basis for formal WRC negotiations.

Workers organised. That created leverage. Now we need to turn it into a settlement.

Read more: https://t.co/7x197EvdJN

#IFUT #UnionStrike #HigherEducation

[IFUT @ifut]

The motion: 400,000+ workers with no pay deal for the first time since 2010, no pay rises in Budget 2027 while inflation is 4.1%, and delayed agreed increases eroding trust. It calls for good-faith talks and inflation-proof pay. #IFUT #UnionStrike #HigherEducation

[IFUT @ifut]

✊ After yesterday's inspirational day of industrial action in higher education, IFUT Gen Sec Frank Jones attended today's Dáil debate on the Labour motion on Public Sector Pay, at the invitation of @ivanabacik

Next strike: 21 October 📣

[IFUT @ifut]

Members at the @RIAdawson sending a clear message to the Government - let’s negotiate on pay 💪

#strike #IFUT #highereducation

[IFUT @ifut]

Solidarity to the @ucddublin strikers! 💪 IFUT members are out in force today across the major academic institutions in Ireland. We won’t back down!

#IFUT #PublicSectorPay #HigherEducation

[Donncha O'Connell @DonnchaLaw]

Amazing support from members of the public for the public sector strike at @uniofgalway today. Practical support from the Students’ Union too in the form of pizza…míle buíochas! @ifut

[IFUT @ifut]

Spirits are high at the @DCU picket today. Solidarity ✊💙🩵

#IFUT #PublicSectorPay #HigherEducation