Failure to fund higher education stores up problems for the future It is close to three years since the publication of the report of the expert group on funding Ireland’s third level institutions.

University of Limerick are set to host the final stages of the 2019 Rustlers Irish Universities Collingwood Cup in February, for the first time since 2012.

Universities insist they need greater flexibility around staffing and more public money to deliver the changes needed to meet the Government’s ambitions for the education system.

This week, 56,000 students took their first Leaving Cert exam. Most of those young people plan to continue their education in a third-level college or institute.

Third-level dropout rates are as high in some universities as institutes of technology when account is taken of differences in their student intake and other factors.

More than €2.8m in overpayments of grants for college students were outstanding at the end of 2016.

The points needed to study most third-level degrees have fallen again, but it is unclear yet if Leaving Certificate grading and CAO reforms are the main reason.

Third-level colleges have to investigate charges ranging from cheating in exams to bullying and harassment. A 2015 case in Dundalk has led to a student being expelled, writes Noel Baker

Two more major universities are expected by the end of this week to lend their support to the new campaign aimed at preventing sexual harassment and violence in third-level education.

A €46.4m software research facility launched at the University of Limerick yesterday will help more than 1,000 Irish companies develop and expand their products.

Three areas of reform were identified for closer examination by the Irish Universities Association in a report 18 months ago on overhauling college entry systems.

The number of degrees offered by universities is rising despite pressure to reduce them and help slow the race for points between Leaving Certificate students.