Almost 1,500 researchers whose jobs were under threat have been moved temporarily to universities and other academic institutions, Nos tv reported on Friday.

Ministers announced before the summer they had set aside an initial €180m to fund the scheme, which is aimed at keeping high-skilled staff in the country.
Companies faced with having to sack highly-skilled workers are able to apply for the government help. The workers can be seconded to universities for a maximum of six months with the treasury picking up most of the wage bill.