Annie Hoey (Labour) | Oireachtas source

This time four years ago the Cassells report on the future funding of higher education was launched. Today I was announced as the Labour Party spokesperson on higher education. At the time of the report's launch, there was great energy around. It was thought that we would solve the funding crisis in the higher education sector. Obviously, that has not happened. We often use the phrase that we are kicking the can down the road and that we are going to run out of road. At this stage we have, quite literally, run out of road. The higher education sector needs to be funded. I call on the Minister with responsibility for higher education to come to the House for a debate on the future funding of higher education and the funding crisis the sector is facing.

I also reiterate my party's support for publicly-funded education. I know the Union of Students in Ireland has a very comprehensive campaign supporting publicly-funded education, to which many in this House and the Lower House signed up. I take this opportunity to ask that the Minister be invited here for a robust debate on the future funding of higher education.

With the appointment of a new Minister and Department with responsibility for higher education, we have a great opportunity to have a discussion about what the post-secondary and higher education sector should look like. This sector includes universities, institutes of technology, post-leaving certificate courses, apprenticeships, life-long learning and adult learning. It is a really broad sector. It is time for a really comprehensive vision for what it is going to look like. I again reiterate our support for publicly-funded higher education. It is time for action in this regard. Unfortunately, higher education will not be funded by goodwill and words spoken. I very much look forward to hearing from the Minister as to how we will tackle this funding crisis.