“The HEA Key Facts and Figures 2010/11 provides an overview of data from the Irish higher education system. It provides a ‘picture by numbers’ of the sector, highlighting the key trends for the year as well as information on: New entrants to the sector; Enrolments; Graduate data; Student details; …” (more)
[Higher Education Authority, 22 February]
“Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the requirement for a foreign language at leaving certificate level for a degree course at National University Ireland colleges; and if there are plans to change this criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann, 21 February]
“Universities are increasingly employing data on teenagers’ family and education background to hit tough Government targets to recruit more poor students, according to research …” (more)
[Graeme Paton, Daily Telegraph, 21 February]
“Deputy Seán Kyne: I am delighted to raise this issue of importance in my constituency and, I am sure, across the country. It has been raised time and again by a number of my constituents who are affected by it. Our student grant scheme, which was set out in the Student Support Act 2011 and SI 305/2011 and amended in previous years, has a flaw that has become particularly visible …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Topical Issue Debate, 21 February]
“This past fall, Occupy Wall Street protesters around the country called for far-reaching changes in our society, including forgiveness of student-loan debt. While we believe loan forgiveness is a bad idea for a variety of reasons, we also think the protesters are right in calling attention to the nation’s Byzantine and inefficient system of student lending …” (more)
[Andrew Gillen and Richard Vedder,
Chronicle of Higher Education, 20 February]
“In a press release issued yesterday, it has been announced by the Free Education for Everyone Galway Group that students are set to march against the arranged increase of third-level fees to €3000 by 2015 and the abolition of the Postgraduate grant …” (more)
[College Tribune, 21 February]
“It started in 1990 with just six students from Ballymun. Now 21 years later, DCU’s Access programme is the oldest in the country and it’s thriving: 170 students entered the university through the programme in September, the largest cohort yet …” (more)
[Grainne Faller, Irish Times, 21 February]
“I suspect that no one quite knows what Les Ebdon (above in academic rig) will do as the head of OFFA. In the run up to his appointment I have been torn …” (more)
[Mary Beard, A Don's Life, 20 February]
“Fine Gael TD for Kildare North, Anthony Lawlor, has warmly welcomed the Action Plan for Jobs and is today (Monday) commending the Government for recognising the importance of STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) as a means of boosting employment …” (more)
[Anthony Lawlor, 20 February]
“Attempts to block the appointment of the new head of Offa, and changes to the tuition-fee regime, make higher education policy resemble an Alice-in-Wonderland world …” (more)
[Mike Baker, Guardian, 20 February]
“The High Court will this week consider whether to order a reversal of changes to the student grant system imposed in the 2011 Budget – hearing from students who claim the changes have forced them out of college …” (more)
[TheJournal.ie, 20 February]
“The Coalition’s management of the university admissions system is a ‘direct assault’ on the academic quality of higher education in Britain and could do lasting damage to the UK economy, Conservative MPs declare today …” (more)
[Rowena Mason and James Kirkup, Telegraph, 19 February]
“When Professor Les Ebdon was once asked about his university’s lowly position in the national rankings, his response was swift and revealing. ‘It’s a snobs’ table’, he said, which guarantees that ‘institutions like Cambridge and Oxford are always at the front, while newer places bring up the rear’ …” (more)
[Julie Henry, Sunday Telegraph, 19 February]
“… A laudable aim, but doomed to failure at the outset. The reason for this is that the system of post-16 education is fundamentally flawed (as it clearly is), then no ‘Access Czar’, however powerful, can hope to accomplish the vast amount of reverse-engineering required to ensure that universities can cope with failures earlier in the system …” (more)
[In the Dark, 18 February]
“Health Minister Dr James Reilly wants to axe the controversial aptitude test for those who want to study medicine. Students who get 600 points in their Leaving Cert have ‘bloody earned’ their right to study medicine, he said …” (more)
[Eilish O'Regan, Independent, 18 February]
“The likely appointment of Professor Les Ebdon at Offa is a step in the right direction – but does not solve the underlying problem. University entrance is in a mess. It is a mess that is damaging to individual students whose potential is wasted, and damaging to an economy which cannot compete without an expanding, well-educated workforce …” (more)
[Guardian, 17 February]
“Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Education and Skills if grants or funding will be available for students going to take masters degrees and PhD, 4th level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)
[Dáil Éireann Written Answers, 16 February]
“Growing Conservative anger over the way in which universities may be asked to play a role in promoting social mobility is likely to be reignited by proposals due shortly from Alan Milburn. The former Labour cabinet minister is now the independent reviewer of social mobility and child poverty for the coalition government …” (more)
[Patrick Wintour, Guardian, 16 February]
“Plans to impose penalties on students who pay off university loans early are being ditched, the Government is expected to announce next week. Ministers were considering introducing annual charges of around 5% on payments above a certain limit to prevent wealthier students avoiding interest charges on the new standard 30-year repayment plans …” (more)
[Sam Lister, Independent, 16 February]
“Most students could repay a €10,000 college fees loan within 15 years of graduation if the Government decided to introduce such a scheme, according to University of Limerick research …” (more)
[Niall Murray, Irish Examiner, 16 February]
