Universities hit by €90 million funding shortfall since end of fees

UNIVERSITIES have to find €90 million a year to make up for the drop in Government funding since college fees were abolished.

The figure was revealed by the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities (CHIU), which warned yesterday of falling standards in third-level education if State investment continues to be cut. This, in turn, will impact on the country’s ability to attract overseas investors seeking top-level graduates.

The stark message was delivered in a damning report, commissioned by CHIU on the future funding of the university sector.