Third level colleges need funding

THE Government must urgently invest in third level colleges for the benefit of the whole country, a university president said yesterday.

National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway president Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh said the recent report of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on Irish third level education supports the idea investment in universities is a necessity rather than an option.

“The report requires a comprehensive response from Government and should be acted on in a holistic and not a piecemeal way if it is to have a major impact on the country’s development,” he said.