Simon Harris

The government is to invest €307m in the higher and further education sector but no promises have been made on reducing the €3000 registration fee.

And it requires the state investing lots and lots of money before it gets any back. “There will be in the October budget, a package to support students. I think it is just at a level that is reflective of an austerity era,” Mr Harris said, speaking on RTÉ radio.

While specifics on fee changes can't be revealed, Minister Harris said a €500 reduction for every student would cost about €40m. He said registration fees are ...

“That is now €24,000 for two kids for four years. “We have put a figure on the amount we need to invest in the third-level education system and it is €307m,” he said. He insisted that he is “very clear” that the current annual registration fee of €3,000 is too high and needs to be reduced.

Sustainable funding model for higher education · Reducing the cost of higher education for students and families · Student contribution fee · Cost of Education ...

During the summer in advance of each year’s Budget, the department will publish a paper outlining potential options and impacts related to the cost of education. This will provide funding and supports for priority groups who are underrepresented in higher education and in particular higher education programmes. The Minister will continue to prioritise students who have the highest levels of financial difficulty. This will be advanced through the publication of an annual assessment on reducing the cost of education for students and families to inform annual budget processes. The State pays the student contribution in full or part for nearly 65,000 university students. Instead, the government is committing to a multi-funded model. The Minister will continue to prioritise students who have the highest levels of financial difficulty. “We are also outlining our policies on reducing the cost of education. Today, we are ending a 10-year question by committing to address legacy issues, increase investment and reform the sector. The Minister also confirmed he will chair a new oversight group to drive reforms. “It is my firm intention to take the pressure off families and listen to the calls of our younger generations. Today, the government has decided that student loans will not form part of the future funding model.

There is not yet a clear date for when the Government will cut the student contribution fee, the Higher Education Minister has said.

“What there will be in the October Budget is a package to support students,” Minister Harris said. I believe it needs to come down. Or you can email [email protected] at any time. But while he was adamant that student loans are “off the table” for the Government, he was not able to say when students will see the contribution charge cut. “I’m delighted to say that yesterday the Government agreed that every year in advance of the Budget, I, and in due course my successors, will publish a paper showing how we can reduce the cost of education for working families.” Minister Harris reiterated his belief that the €3,000 student contribution charge is an “austerity-era” measure, and that it needs to be cut to alleviate financial pressure on students and their families.

The Higher Education Minister has announced a new funding plan he described as a landmark moment for university staff and students.

Mr Harris said he could not pre-empt the Budget process by announcing how much the student contribution charge might be cut by, but he insisted the new funding plan announced on Wednesday marks a major step-change for the Irish Government. Mr Harris also said he is confident the new funding “will have an improvement on the rankings of our universities”. At a press conference in Government Buildings, Mr Harris said a long-unfilled funding gap facing Irish colleges and universities will now be solved. Simon Harris said the announcement of a new funding plan is a landmark moment for staff and students that will reverse the long-term decline of Irish universities in world rankings. The 2016 Cassells report on funding gave the Government a comprehensive set of options for reforming the sector. The announcement, which sees extra investment of €307 million, will plug a key funding gap that dates back to the economic crash, Mr Harris said.

There is not yet a clear date for when the Government will cut the student contribution fee, the Higher Education Minister has said.

Local News Local News Local News Local News If you have a story or want to send a photo or video to us please contact the Donegal Live editorial team any time. “What there will be in the October Budget is a package to support students,” Minister Harris said.

The Higher Education Minister said the Irish Government is firmly against 'unfair' student loans.

“What there will be in the October Budget is a package to support students,” Mr Harris said. I believe it needs to come down. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. “We want to see more lecturers in our colleges, we want to see a better ratio between students and lecturers. But while he was adamant that student loans are “off the table” for the Government, he was not able to say when students will see the contribution charge cut. Mr Harris reiterated his belief that the 3,000 euro student contribution charge is an “austerity-era” measure, and that it needs to be cut to alleviate financial pressure on students and their families.

Irish students can expect a cut at a future date in college fees, the Minister for Further and Higher Education has said. Simon Harris said the announcemen.

Or you can email [email protected] at any time. Mr Harris also said he is confident the new funding “will have an improvement on the rankings of our universities”. “We don’t give out those answers in the month of May for a Budget in October but this is a policy shift today,” he said. “Today sees a significant policy shift and the Government saying we don’t just want to continue trundling along in relation to cost,” he said. Simon Harris said the announcement of a new funding plan is a landmark moment for staff and students that will reverse the long-term decline of Irish universities in world rankings. Mr Harris said he could not pre-empt the Budget process by announcing how much the student contribution charge might be cut by, but he insisted the new funding plan announced on Wednesday marks a major step-change for the Irish Government.

Third-level funding plans seeks university reforms in exchange for extra funding.

He said individual college courses will not be under threat and the wider focus was on ensuring skills gaps across the economy are addressed. “It is my firm intention to take the pressure off families and listen to the calls of our younger generations. Contribution fees will not be abolished entirely, he said.

The announcement, which sees extra investment of 307 million euro, will plug a key funding gap that dates back to the economic crash, Mr Harris said. X ...

Or you can email [email protected] at any time. Mr Harris also said he is confident the new funding “will have an improvement on the rankings of our universities”. “We don’t give out those answers in the month of May for a Budget in October but this is a policy shift today,” he said. “Today sees a significant policy shift and the Government saying we don’t just want to continue trundling along in relation to cost,” he said. Simon Harris said the announcement of a new funding plan is a landmark moment for staff and students that will reverse the long-term decline of Irish universities in world rankings. Mr Harris said he could not pre-empt the Budget process by announcing how much the student contribution charge might be cut by, but he insisted the new funding plan announced on Wednesday marks a major step-change for the Irish Government.