The next Government has to invest in future of third-level education

As Fine Gael and Labour Party delegates prepare to meet for pre-election conferences later this month, the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) wishes to draw their attention to the escalating crisis in third-level education.

Third-level education is increasingly being reduced to poor relation status in the education system, despite soaring student numbers. Under the outgoing government, funding per student at third-level fell below that of second level for the first time ever.

The years 2007 to 2014 saw funding to universities slashed by 26% and to other colleges by 24%. Staff numbers declined by 4,500 from 2008 to 2013.