Mr. Tom Boland:

There is a serious lack of funding in the higher education system. In part, it is an inevitable consequence of the financial crisis. The level of funding per student has decreased from approximately €11,000 to approximately €9,000 over recent years. I think the institutions are coping well with that situation, by and large. Given the difficulties that this drop in funding causes, in terms of the quality of provision, we need to bear in mind that it has been projected that the number of people entering higher education will grow by between 25% and 30% over the next 15 years or so. That in itself will place huge demands on the system. Of course, this issue is being dealt with by the group that has been established by the Minister under the chairmanship of Peter Cassells.