Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 12 December 2012

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection

Reform of Third Level Education: Discussion

2:35 pm

Photo of Fidelma Healy EamesFidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)
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I thank the delegates for their patience. We have to leave when a vote is called in the House. I congratulate the Chairman for inviting everyone to the meeting. It has been a very impressive presentation. I have questions for each of the speakers.

Our overall goal is a high quality, affordable and accessible third level education system that will serve the student and the nation in particular. This is a time when we need to consider that third level education should be about teaching and learning, research and job creation outcomes.

I have a question for Mr. Costello. Is funding currently linked to an institution's ability to carry out research? Is this just the case with funding from Science Foundation Ireland?