Ministers to discuss delayed report on third-level funding next month

The report sets out three options for the future funding of the higher education sector, but Simon Harris has already indicated a student loan scheme is out of the question. Picture: Paul Sharp

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris said a long-delayed report on the funding of the third-level sector will be brought to a Cabinet subcommittee next month.

An update from the European Commission on the Cassells report, which identified the need for an extra €600m a year by 2021, whether from public funds, student fees, or a mix of both, has been received, Mr Harris said, with plans due to go to a Cabinet subcommittee chaired by Taoiseach Micheál Martin next month.