19th October 2001

Email this Page |

“The Northern Ireland Equality Challenge Unit will make a significant contribution in achieving equal opportunities for all who work in higher education,” Mr Alan Shannon, the Permanent Secretary, at the Department for Employment and Learning, said today.

Mr Shannon was speaking at the launch of the Equality Challenge Unit, which has been set up within the UK to support the work of Higher Education Institutions in improving equal opportunities.

The Permanent Secretary continued by saying: “While pay and conditions for staff in higher education are matters for the employers to determine in negotiation with staff representatives, Government believes that people doing work of equal value should receive equal pay, which is a statutory obligation.

“My Department has identified equality of opportunity as a key priority. Over the next three years we have allocated additional funding to the Higher Education sector. This funding will reward and develop staff and assist in the promotion of Equality of Opportunity by developing equal opportunity targets with programmes to implement good practice throughout an institution.”

For further information, please contact:

Press Office Department of Communication and Development
Telephone: 028 9036 6178
Email: pressoffice@ulster.ac.uk