Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Chair and I thank Ms Donegan, Ms Dolan and Ms Austick for their submissions.

My first question is for the USI. Ms Austic stated that the USI is gravely concerned about the inclusion of the value-for-money criterion and the risk it poses in the context of pushing us further down the road of the marketisation and commercialisation of third level education. I very much share those concerns. We all want value for money, but it is an ideological myth that a market logic produces the best outcomes.

In conclusion, it is positive to see the emergence of a clear theme underpinning the Bill which appears to recognise the importance and value of student representation, engagement and participation. The provisions in place are promising but they must not be allowed to become a series of tick box exercises and must eventually translate into real, tangible and effective actions and outcomes for the student experience and quality of our colleges. The ambition of the USI is to improve the quality of higher education, increase access, participation and engagement across the sector. If the provisions detailed in the Bill are practised and fully implemented then that progress can be made. I again express my sincere thanks for this opportunity. Go raibh míle maith agat.

At the end of the day, education is a public good, or should be a public good and it is not always easy to measure. The Bill refers to evidence of value for money without outlining the criteria. Proving the value of critical thinking and discovery research is not as straightforward as it might appear on the face of it. Could Ms Austick expand on her concerns about this issue? Are there concerns about institutional independence and academic freedom? Perhaps I could get a response to that question first.