'Govt advised to allow privatisation of universities'

The Higher Education Authority has reportedly advised the Government to allow some universities to leave the public sector and become private entities.

Reports this morning said the HEA believed such a move would be necessary if Irish universities were to compete on the world stage.

However, it also insisted that privatised universities should not be operated for profit.

The recommendations are reported in a HEA submission passed to Education Minister Noel Dempsey and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, which is reviewing the Irish third-level sector for Mr Dempsey.