The promise to freeze fees at €3,000 a year for college students was made by Mr McHugh despite ongoing demands from universities for the Government to address a major funding shortfall in the sector.

Third-level funding stands at €138m less than what is needed to cater for rapidly expanding student numbers, Ireland’s seven universities have warned.

The Fianna Fáil leader has said third level education has been marginalised for far too long.

The IUA's director-general, Jim Miley, claims a lack of funding is having a major impact on third-level institutions.

The division and indecision around Brexit have all but dominated politics in Britain, Ireland, and Europe for the last number of years. The wretched saga seems interminable and it is exacerbated by the absence of resolute, focussed leadership.

A new report by Indecon, commissioned by the Irish Universities Association, has looked at their socio-economic impact.

A top European academic is warning that Ireland is one of two European countries with a third level education system classified as “in danger” due to the shortfall in funding while the number of students has increased.

The seven universities are taking their campaign for increased funding beyond Leinster House by seeking public support for a petition to back increased funding for higher education.

A Government decision on how to boost funding for third level is unlikely for at least another year as an economic analysis of options put forward two years ago will not now begin until 2019.

The €600m funding shortage predicted in third-level colleges by 2021 could be even higher due to an unexpected rises in student numbers, universities have warned.

All but two Irish universities have fallen again in a global ranking system that sees Trinity College Dublin drop out of the top 100.

Applications for teacher training degrees have risen, despite increased awareness about pay inequality in the profession.

Third-level chiefs have warned the Government they need major investment to deliver reforms aimed at making colleges more responsive to economic and societal needs.

Education Minister Richard Bruton wants the Oireachtas Education Committee to urgently consider the question of how to find the €600m extra a year needed to fund third-level colleges.

The urgency of solving the gap in funding of colleges requires more immediate action than awaiting the political consensus sought by Education Minister Richard Bruton, third-level figures have said.

The number of courses being offered by third-level colleges continues to rise despite plans in 2011 to cut them and help end the Leaving Certificate points race.

Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan says extra funding can only come at a price, writes Niall Murray

More structural changes in the higher education system are needed as well as decisions on who funds it, Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan has told university leaders.

A university leader has criticised other colleges for lack of progress in introducing one of the key reforms to reduce pressure on Leaving Certificate students to get top grades for third-level access.

A move away from 14 different Leaving Certificate grades is likely on foot of recommendations about to be made by a Government advisory body.

Third-level colleges may not be developing enough of the high-end skills in students that are wanted by employers, a major student survey finds.

THE critical and analytical thinking that employers want from workers is hard to measure. But responses of 12,700 third-level students in the first major survey of its kind go some way to analysing how much they are getting to use or develop such skills.

Students should find out soon how universities plan to change the college entry points system and help reduce the pressures of the Leaving Certificate.

Universities have reacted angrily to Government plans that will make sure they never again give un-authorised bonuses to staff.

Medical schools have delayed making changes to the controversial aptitude test used to select entrants but acknowledge that its use is causing a number of distortions for young people who wish to become doctors.

Parents of second-level students have welcomed proposals by universities to overhaul the points system but want to see changes happen fast.

The recommendations from the Irish Universities Association (IUA) come almost a year after second- level and third-level heads met formally for the first time to consider the impact of the points system.

The points system has served Ireland well but change is needed to encourage positive educational values — not just for college but for lifelong learning, writes Ned Costello

Major changes to the structures and powers of university boards have been backed by their presidents.

FIVE universities are still paying 100 staff over €200,000 a year, including more than 30 at University College Cork.

COLLEGE charges for student services which the Government may increase to around €2,500 are only costing universities between €1,589 and €1,943 a year per head.

Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has today welcomed confirmation from the Irish Universities Association that a scheme of bonus points for students taking Leaving Certificate higher level maths is to be introduced from 2012.

A STAND-OFF between universities and their funding agency over academic autonomy has left hundreds of lecturing posts unfilled despite colleges being given an exemption from the ban on public service recruitment.

UNIVERSITY presidents have expressed surprise at the Government decision not to introduce student fees or a graduate loans system they had endorsed as a way of tackling a funding deficit in the third-level education sector.

THE seven university presidents have given their approval to Ireland’s continued engagement at the heart of the EU and have highlighted the positive part Europe has played in third-level education.

A COMBINATION of top-up fees and student loans is the best way to fund third-level education and ensure social equality in the system, university presidents have claimed.

Government partners were tonight facing a potential rift as moves to target high-income families for college fees was thrown in to the spotlight.

THIRD-level colleges are still in the dark about how much or which parts of their budgets they must cut as part of the Government spending review but the impact is likely to mean part-time job losses and a freeze on student numbers.

PROPER Government funding rather than a return to fees is the only way to improve third and fourth level education, rather than a return to college fees, students claimed last night.

THE heads of the country’s universities are to come together next month to try and reach an agreement to prevent them poaching key staff from each other.

THE heads of the seven universities have called for over €150 million extra a year to expand higher education and help the country meet its goals as a knowledge-based economy.