Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the members of the deputation. I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary contribution the university heads have made to the social and economic fibre of the country to date. That is without question and it has to be acknowledged. It would be remiss of us not to compliment those involved in the Cassells report on their work. They have set out the position and what lies ahead in a stark and scary fashion. Moreover, they have set out what we must do if we are to ensure the country keeps going socially and economically.

One key word that affects all of us is access. Access is a concern for all of us. I have spoken to people from all sides of the argument and I am trying to reach a conclusion, although I am struggling at the moment. I have discussed the question with people from households in which incomes would be classified as low. They have concerns when it comes to their children going to college. They maintain they are simply unable to afford it, as things stand. The question of fees is one issue, but affording and even locating accommodation, especially in this city, is a major challenge for children and families outside the capital as well.

I am a parent with two children in college. I know it is difficult. The cost puts relatively young families under considerable financial pressure at a time when there are other pressures affecting them as well, including mortgage repayments and so on. A lady from Letterkenny contacted me on this issue. Thankfully, her family was in a comfortable financial position. At the same time she said she would welcome it if a loan system was in place for her specific circumstances. All the disposable income the family had was going on ensuring that the children could go to college and pay for accommodation, pocket money and so on. She made the point that the local and general economy was losing out in many ways, because rather than spending money on the high street or the main street, all the available funding was going to ensure the children would go to college. I imagine many families throughout the country are in the same boat.

This is a difficult question. Professor Prendergast mentioned the old adage of the can being kicked down the road. We have got to the stage on this issue where we have run out of road and we cannot kick the can anymore because there is no road. We are at a crossroads. If we are serious about the future of our young people, and the country in general, then we must grasp this nettle. The people who occupy the Houses and the people in this committee have a major responsibility in this regard. Ultimately, it will be a decision for the Government of the day. I have specific questions on the contribution from employers. Is there any fear on the part of the university heads that we could have a situation whereby employers could increase their contribution and then look for more influence over the courses they would like to see the universities take on? What effect would that have on the university system overall?

Reference was made to Brexit and the associated potential opportunities that might lie ahead for us in the university sector. We discussed the position of United Kingdom and how the UK sector might lose out. I have listened to various people on this subject. They believe there is potential that we could tap in to. What are we doing in this regard? Are the university heads hopeful that this is an area from which we might be able to get an income stream?

Reference was made to the drop-out rate. This is concerning. Earlier, we discussed families trying to finance children going to college. Let us suppose that after first year, Mary or John decide they have made the wrong decision and gone to the wrong course. What can we do to try to limit that, where possible? Is part of the reason for increased drop-out rates related to the change in career guidance provision at second level? Are we now feeling the effects of that negative decision made some years ago? What else could we do to minimise that potential? A child doing the leaving certificate is under pressure - I imagine all the university heads appreciate that - and is trying to make a decision about rest of his life. It is difficult to make that decision at that time and perhaps more help is needed. I am keen to hear the thoughts of the university heads in that regard.

What further potential exists in the university sector, if any, for funding to be sourced from other streams? Is there any potential? Are there any associated side effects? I have complimented the university heads on their roles to date. Are there any areas where the universities believe they could improve things in the event of further funding coming towards them?