Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No decision has been taken. We should prepare if it is intended to make a move. Part of the Cassells report is that, over the last number of years, the higher education sector grew by something like 25% with no increased State funding. The report is anticipating another 25% growth and recognises that doing nothing about this is not satisfactory. It outlines three sources of potential funding. One is the Exchequer, which we are pursuing. The second is employers, which we are pursuing. The third is the possibility of this student contribution mechanism. It would be imprudent of us not to look at the technical side of that, should it be decided by the Oireachtas that this is the direction we want to go. It is prudent to do that preparation.

This is something the Oireachtas has to look at as a group, just like we are looking at health funding and pension funding in the long term. The Cassells report has set out issues that should be looked at, such as the extra earnings that someone who graduates gets, and whether it is fair to ask such a person to make a contribution back. We also have to look at access for students who do not come from backgrounds or families who can afford it. Would they be put off or could their needs be dealt with by other mechanisms? Might collection problems arise? All these are issues that we need to assess. That is why the Oireachtas is taking its time. We are available at any time to answer questions on any issues the committee wishes to raise.

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