Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

When times are hard, third level is seen as an easy target when it comes to reducing core funding in education. Does the Minister accept that the introduction of top-up fees in Northern Ireland has seen universities there gain a considerable competitive advantage over universities in the Republic? They have additional revenue that is not available to colleges here and this view was forcefully expressed by presidents of universities in this State. What is the Minister's view of the additional support universities in Northern Ireland gain from top-up fees, compared to universities here?

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