University Discusses Fees With Committee

The boss of the Irish Universities Association (IUA) has called Thursday's committee meeting on the topic of university finances "productive".

The meeting took place to discuss the future of funding for Ireland's universities, including "the pros and cons of fees and loans".

Speaking after the Oireachtas Education Committee on Thursday, the IUA Chief Executive Ned Costello said: "We were glad to have the opportunity to meet with the Committee. It was an intensive, informed and productive session which reflected the clear interest of the Committee members in the vital question of the future of higher education."

The Committee heard that state funding per student has decreased by 17% in real terms between 2001 and 2006 and that University College Cork currently has a deficit of €13m, while the University of Limerick has a cumulative deficit of €6m.

In a joint statement released in September, the presidents of Ireland's seven universities called on the Minister for Education and Science, Mr. Batt O'Keeffe to commit to a new "bold and imaginative" approach to the funding of Irish Higher Education.

They stressed that the scale of the cuts proposed went far beyond what could be offset through savings and increased efficiency.

The Thursday meeting was described as "encouraging" by the University Chief Executive Officer, adding that the university's delegation had outlined the need to expand participation, improve the student experience and build the higher skills base which will deliver sustainable growth based on innovation throughout the economy.

"We discussed with the Committee the need for an overall plan for higher education investment” said Costello.

"While there are clearly different views about how the plan should be funded and the role that fees and loans might play, we were encouraged by the Committee's interest in our case," he said.

Mr Costello further noted that the committee said their engagement with the Universities was the first of a number of meetings on higher education, and further sessions would follow with the Department of Education and Science, and with the Minister for Education, Mr Batt O'Keeffe.

(DW)