Teacher's PET

Noel Dempsey was all smiles at the briefing on the Estimates last week

Noel Dempsey was all smiles at the briefing on the Estimates last week.And why not? Dempsey's ability to squeeze an extra 12 per cent out of the kitty shows he has real clout around the Cabinet table, and forcing Charlie McCreevy to give him increased capitation for schools last Wednesday - the day before the Estimates were published - was impressive.

But there is real trouble brewing with the university sector, which was forced to take an effective cut. Noel Dempsey, be warned: university presidents can make dangerous enemies!

Interesting to see Noel Dempsey and secretary general John Dennehy accompanied at various Estimates briefings by assistant secretary, Martin Hanevy, who also did the ASTI Roadshow with the Minister.

Is the clever and street-wise Hanevy the man to replace the legendary John Dennehy when he goes next year?

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More from the now weekly column, Tensions in the ASTI.

The union's decision not to attend the Labour Court hearing on complaints from its head-office staff is continuing to make waves. Former president P.J. Sheehy is said to be dismayed by the unprecedented spectacle of a trade union not co-operating with the court.

Executive member Kieran Christie is also furious about the lack of co-operation with the Labour Relations Commission in the case. He has fired off letters of protest to union officers and fellow standing committee members.

Meanwhile, normal business in the Winetavern Street bunker is grounding to a halt, as all sides await the outcome of the Charlie Lennon case. Latest information suggests a settlement between the warring parties in January.

Belated congratulations to new NUI Maynooth press officer Colm Keane. The well-known RTÉ broadcaster, sports guru and pop music fan, has the task of sprucing up Maynooth's image.

Noel Dempsey did not sound like a man who was too exercised about Hibernia College, the new online teacher-training course, when he spoke in the Dáil last week. Reading between the lines, the message from the Minister to the traditional colleges was one of little sympathy for them.

Who said this about the €325 million for teachers from benchmarking? "It is right that teachers should be well-paid, it is right that their morale is high and their professionalism rewarded." Answer: Noel Dempsey in a press release last week. Expect FF to go strongly after the votes of 45,000 teachers - especially after that FG criticism of benchmarking.

The modernisation agenda set by UCC boss Gerry Wrixon is continuing to build. Wrixon doled out some more tough medicine to a general staff meeting recently. He said he expected improved performance across several key areas and warned of dire consequences if people didn't shape up. Some academics are said to be nursing a wound. Others say it is this tough, no- nonsense approach that has propelled UCC up the university ladder in the first place.