The continued lack of a government decision on third-level funding and ongoing cuts to public investment will have a detrimental effect on graduates and on the economy, the chairman of a state body has warned.

THREE out of four Irish universities have lost ground on their competitors in global rankings, with the exception being University College Cork, which has also become the country’s first five-star university.

MORE than 1,300 additional college places have been filled by the Central Applications Office in the latest phase of offers for this year’s highly competitive race for third level entry.

University heads warned of the effect of education cuts today after Ireland’s two leading universities, Trinity College and UCD, slipped down the world rankings.