A Clare students’ representative wants the Government to aim for fully publicly funded third level education within the next number of years.
It’s after the Government published details of how it plans to cut the cost of higher education today.
A 2016 report found an additional one billion euro a year would be needed to fund higher education by 2030.
The expert group study says the money is needed due to population growth and to reduce student to staff ratios.
The Minister for Higher Education has now brought proposals to government on increased investment in third-level education which have been signed off on by Cabinet.
It will see a €307 million core funding gap in the sector bridged.
Minister Simon Harris says help is needed for those who don’t qualify for third level grants.
The President of the TUS Students Union, which has a campus on Bindon Street in Ennis, says a mechanism must be examined whereby affordable housing for students can be priorisited.
Áine Daly says students are spending ever increasing sums on ensuring a roof is over their head when attending college.
Meanwhile an East Clare student believes today’s announcement should be the first step towards fully publicly funded higher education without contribution fees.
MollyJane Sweeney, who’s Clare’s Regional Officer with the Irish Second Level Students Union and a student at St Joseph’s Secondary School in Tulla, says while today’s news is welcome, more will eventually be needed.
