Fall in third level ranking for Irish higher education

Another international ranking shows Irish higher education losing ground as political considerations over how it is funded look set to drag on. 

Education Minister Richard Bruton will soon publish the completed report of an expert group on how to fund third-level education including the key question of whether students or government should meet the growing shortfall.

However, no government decisions will be made until the various options set out by the Peter Cassells-chaired group — including a student loan scheme like those used in Australia, UK and elsewhere — are debated by the new Oireachtas education committee.