Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our guests and thank them for taking the time to make their presentation on this key issue. Will Mr. Cassells give us a general overview of the group's timeline and what it hopes to achieve? Of what will the remaining stages of its work consist and when will it be completed? When can we expect to see the final report?

Were reports undertaken before the working committee was commissioned which are feeding into its work? It is difficult to disagree with any work the group is carrying out as, in many ways, it appears to be engaged in a blue sky exercise. That leads to a general question as to whether it would have made more sense to put the group to work three or four years ago in order that recommendations would have been ready by now for us to work on. What reports have fed into the work the group is doing?

Mr. Cassells gave a good outline of many of the dynamics at play in recent times, including the 10% increase in student numbers and the 15% reduction in funding. Based on the interaction and consultation so far, what is his view on whether this has led to a reduction in quality? Is this something he believes to be the case?

On the current position, recently the president of NUIG, Dr. Jim Browne, said he believed the system was at tipping point. Will Mr. Cassells comment on this? Does he agree and believe that is the position? What are the implications of any delay in addressing this issue?

Will Mr. Cassells comment on the group's consultations? Are there variations in the feedback from universities versus that from institutes of technology?

In regard to massive online open education courses, MOOCs, what examination or recommendations will the group make?

Mr. Cassells has mentioned the four key areas on which he will report and the importance of good career advice to ensure students are aware of outcomes and job opportunities and in matching students appropriately with what they may do when they finish their education. I am interested in hearing what, if any, feedback he has received, the current position and whether the issue needs to be addressed.

On international models, will the group examine what happens in other countries and how it can be applied to Ireland, particularly in terms of funding models?

Will the final report present options or recommendations and will the group make a call on what it believes should happen? Will it tie down its recommendations as opposed to presenting a menu of options for consideration?