Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Aire for his response. I have a concern regarding the present position of the third level sector and as to what is the medium to long-term plan. While consultations are ongoing, there has been a failure to grasp the nettle of the problems with regard to funding the third level sector. In particular, this has been the case in respect of promises the Minister made while in opposition on the registration fee whereby students' fees have been increased rather than decreased, as had been promised. Institutions in the third level sector face difficulties in ascertaining what will be their status in the medium term and what precisely this reform will mean for them. While they have been asked to revert with suggestions, there is a concern that what will transpire will be a reduction of and restriction in the breadth of courses available, rather than an opportunity for institutions to grow arising from these reforms. Although some duplication undoubtedly exists, which can be addressed, this issue appears to be the primary focus thus far with regard to the reform process. However, that part of the process pertaining to how the third level sector might be developed further has not been getting the requisite attention and justifiable concerns exist within the sector as to what will be the development potential in the future, as opposed to further cuts to the services being provided at present. This sort of confusion is not helpful to the development of the sector and it is important for the Minister to provide the sector with greater clarity as to how he envisages progress on the developmental side of the third level institutions as part of this reform.

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