Irish Examiner view: Student surge puts focus on funding

Higher Education Minister admits issue was 'dodged for far too long'

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris promised to act on new report

The annual jamboree-cum-auction around third-level places is underway and a combination of the pandemic and Brexit has moved the goalposts spectacularly.

A 31% increase in overseas applications, most of them from the EU means an extra 4,500 suitors for a place at an Irish college. That may not translate into students, as EU applicants’ final enrolment rate is generally below 50%. The Irish take-up rate is, naturally, much higher at around 80%. EU applicants will, however, drive up course points but increased demand is predicated on an expectation of higher Leaving Certificate grades.