With all attention strongly focused on the possible introduction of income-contingent student loans, Niall Murray examines what they are, how they might work — and at what cost.

Employers’ group Ibec does not object to increasing a levy on business to train people for work once the extra €150m a year is properly spent.

The Cassells report proposed three different options to the higher education funding issues. The option given the most attention, both in the media and in the report itself, is the proposed loan scheme, writes Annie Hoey