Third-level should be free to access, says Higher Education Minister

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris: 'I am not a fan of student loans. I am not convinced they work, quite frankly. I actually think they can act as a barrier for people from social economically disadvantaged communities in terms of their risk of taking on debt.' Picture: Julien Behal

Student loans are unlikely to be used to bridge a chronic underfunding in the country’s third-level sector, Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has said.

Speaking at the launch of a three-year plan for his department, Mr Harris said he was committed to delivering a sustainable model to allow universities and colleges be funded adequately, especially when more and more people want to attend.