Pay gap for Irish graduates wider than in Europe

The pay gap between college graduates and others is far wider in Ireland than in most European and other developed countries.

The finding from the latest annual bible of global education statistics could strengthen arguments for a restructured way of increasing third-level fees, including a student loans scheme option being considered by TDs and senators.

As the Government awaits the outcome of deliberations by the Oireachtas education committee on various options to bolster funding of the higher education system, the Education at a Glance 2017 report shows the benefits of a third-level qualification for Irish graduates.