Election 2024: Investment in third-level education 'should be a priority of next government' 

UCC president John O'Halloran tells education correspondent JESS CASEY about his concerns about investment in third-level education — views echoed by students and academics

UCC President John O'Halloran feels investment in research and innovation, improving staff-to-student ratios, and supporting students should be prioritised by the next Government.

Having conferred almost 7,000 students graduating from University College Cork (UCC) this year, president John O'Halloran generally doesn’t use his speeches to make political statements.

“I have actually taken the opportunity to over the last few weeks,” he confesses.