Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I can also confirm that the request for a debate with the Minister, Deputy Howlin, which I referred to yesterday, will take place on Tuesday afternoon next.

With regard to the whole question of education, third level funding, the cap on numbers, student fees and so on, as the House knows, the programme for Government provided a commitment to undertake a full review of third level education funding with a view to introducing a funding system that would provide third level institutions with reliable funding but does not impact on access for students. The Higher Education Authority has recently finished a report on the sustainability of the existing funding framework for higher education and it was submitted to the Minister, Deputy Quinn, on Monday, 14 November. The report examines the interrelationships between funding levels, the scale of growth and the maintenance of quality in the system.

As the Minister, Deputy Quinn, has just received the report, I am not in a position to comment on its contents but the Minister and his officials will be considering these in the coming weeks. The report will help to inform consideration by Government of policy options in regard to the future funding of the higher education sector. I understand the HEA intends to publish the report in the next couple of weeks, following its consideration by the authority. Perhaps that might be an opportune time for us to discuss the report.

Senator Bacik responded robustly to the charges made against members of her party-----