State may force emigrant graduates repay fees

Laws may have to be introduced to force graduates, who emigrate, to pay a minimum amount off any deferred fees, the authors of a report into possible new funding models for third-level education have said.

The Cassells Report published in July outlined three main options to reverse the fall in the quality of higher education and to increase resources. But its authors yesterday said whatever path was taken would also require a “radical overhaul” of the current maintenance grants system.

Peter Cassells told the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills the status quo could not be maintained, although he said the options open to those deciding on which model of funding to pursue could yet arrive at a “hybrid” version, as each option had advantages and disadvantages.