Ireland is failing badly on its higher education tests

Our universities continue to fall in global rankings as the impact of chronic underfunding is felt. The time has come for the Government to make a few tough calls, writes Kyran Fitzgerald

As the new academic year commences, Irish university administrators are faced with a familiar dilemma. How to deploy their resources across an ever-growing student population without compromising quality in the process.

The ratings agencies continue to mark down our top third-level institutions and frankly, it is hard not to see why. Our campuses are bulging at the seams and people are taking note.