No State funding for Open University

I REFER to a letter you published (February 24) concerning the use of the term “British Isles” by The UK Open University and asking why the university should be funded by the Irish Government.

Firstly, I wish to make it clear that The Open University receives no funding from the Department of Education and Science. Our students in the Republic of Ireland, and indeed throughout the European Union, are registered on a “fees-only” basis.

Secondly, while it is acknowledged that the term “British Isles” is still used loosely by some to include the Republic of Ireland, it is understood within the institution that this is not an accurate reflection of the jurisdictions involved and recommends that the term “The United Kingdom and Ireland” is used.