Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It appears that universities are in some way advocating an income-contingent loan. Is that based on a lack of faith in the State to provide? I assume the universities would not reject the payment if it came from the State so is it in the absence of a belief that the State will provide a sustainable, publicly-funded system? Do the witnesses see the income-contingent loan as a quicker source of funding for universities?

My next question is on learning for learning's sake. In the UK mature and part-time studying has almost been wiped out, especially in the humanities sector. What do the presidents feel would be the impact of income-contingent and higher fees on arts and humanities, and on other smaller departments within colleges? In the US, arts and humanities do relatively well but the proportion of students going into those subjects is much higher and we start from a different baseline.

There are concerns about universities bringing in a student levy. I believe this will have a massive impact, especially on those middle earners who just miss out on a SUSI grant.

Are universities considering any drastic measures in the meantime while we are waiting on the very slow process of the Cassells report to kick in?

Following the election of Donald Trump in America, the proposal to lower the corporation tax to 15% will have an impact on the education sector in terms of foreign direct investment. Obviously the longer education in Ireland is underfunded, the more quality will disimprove. Therefore we will have a problem with tax and the quality of graduates we produce. Have the witnesses given any thought to that?

I have a question on Horizon 2020 funding which ties into the lack of capital funding for universities in that we are not in a position to benefit from any move from the UK to Ireland regarding research and development. Would capital investment leave us in a better position after Brexit? Would it positively impact on rankings if Irish universities where leading out on European research?