Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Miley and Mr. Casey for the submission. Yesterday, I attended a meeting of business leaders from the Cork region at which third level funding and education generally was raised as one of the key issues. For them, it is right up there with infrastructure and housing. Many of those present were the owners of growing businesses or start-ups, but all of them expressed concern in regard to where their next tranche of staff might come from. The point was made that as a State we regularly point to the quality of our workforce in terms of education. Increasingly, no matter where one travels in the world there is a high level of education. Concern was expressed in regard to the league tables and ranking systems. People understood that these are a mixed bag, that they can be gamed and that some are better than others. Nonetheless, there was a recognition that this is a reality. People were specifically concerned about research. They expressed the view that while we might be leaders in specific areas such as, for example, food, drink and perhaps electronics, Irish universities are falling behind. While there are several streams of funding here, is it the research element that is causing us to fall down the rankings? As there are several asks in terms of research and innovation and capital funding and core funding, what is the most crucial element in tackling the continuing fall in the rankings of Irish universities?

We have discussed this issue previously. An increasing number of institutions in Asia and other parts of the developing world are entering the league tables and becoming more competitive. Many of our third level institutions meanwhile are becoming more reliant on international students for income. To what extent is that the case? Can a percentage be put on that funding? Is there a strategic risk - perhaps not this year or next - to our institutions if international student numbers begin to fall off because they choose universities closer to home?

I might be asking the same question in two ways. The request regarding finance is significant and I appreciate the value for money aspect that was outlined. Can the delegates identify the most important investment that can be made? A similar question relates to the risks the Irish university sector faces if investments are not made. What will the position be like in three or four years? What will the university sector look like and what shortfalls and deficits will there be?