Third-level-education funding options require careful study

The Government must choose from three schemes. The ICL loan, whereby graduates only pay once they’re earning a minimum amount, has generated most debate, say Darragh Flannery and John Cullinan

THE Cassells report outlined three options for funding higher education. The first two involve increased state funding, but one will scrap the student-contribution fee and the other will maintain it at current levels.

The third is an income-contingent loan (ICL) system. Graduates borrow from the State to pay for their education, but do not make any repayments until they are working at a certain income threshold.