The new National Strategy for Higher Education, co-ordinated by Dr Colin Hunt, is not a vision for the future but a ‘road map to Australia’ for the nation’s youth.
This is the view of Sinn Féin Galway West candidate Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. He has been highly critical of the report, in particular its recommendation for “a new form of direct student contribution based on an upfront fee with a deferred payment facility”.
Mr Ó Clochartaigh said: “The idea, that after all of the cuts implemented on low and middle income families across the State, that the Government are now willing to cheerlead the re-introduction of third level fees is an outrage.
“The integration of young people from the poorest sections of society within the higher education system has not been achieved through our current model of education delivery. It most certainly won’t be achieved if the recommendations in this report are implemented.”
