Some staff at Limerick Institute of Technology are earning up to €72,000 a year - with no work to do.

The workers were transferred to LIT after it emerged with a rural business college in Co Tipperary four years ago.

The matter was raised this morning at the Public Accounts Committee which has been examining spending at third-level institutions.

TDs were incredulous when the Comptroller & Auditor General, Seamus McCarthy, said three or four staff earn a combined €216,000 a year - even though they have nothing to do.

Listen to some of the exchanges below: