Dublin City University has closed the Centre for Software Engineering with the loss of 12 jobs. The centre opened in 1991.
A spokesperson for DCU said the decision was taken because 'of a change in demand in the IT sector'. It is understood that the centre made losses of €100,000 in each of the last two years.
The Irish Computer Society, the national body for technology professionals, has described the decision as a setback for IT in Ireland, saying the centre was the national focal point and support service for the Irish software development community.
ICS CEO Frank Cronin described the closure as a backward step. 'The damage to our international reputation is immeasurable,' he added.
