Funding decision for third level delayed

A Government decision on how to boost funding for third level is unlikely for at least another year as an economic analysis of options put forward two years ago will not now begin until 2019.

Education Minister Richard Bruton and minister of state Mary Mitchell O’Connor have told the Oireachtas education committee the review it sought six months ago would begin no sooner than early next year.

The TDs and senators want detailed insights on the impacts of funding options in a report published by Mr Bruton in July 2016 from the expert group on higher education funding chaired by Peter Cassells. The Cassells report identified the need for an extra €600m a year by 2021 — whether from public coffers, students or a mix of both — to maintain quality in higher education, rising to €1bn annually by 2030.