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FG proposes PRSI scheme for college funding [Article]

  • 18-03-2009 12:16pm
    #1
    [Deleted User]
    Posts: 16,720 ✭✭✭✭


    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2009/0318/breaking33.htm

    FG proposes PRSI scheme for college funding

    JASON MICHAEL

    Wed, Mar 18, 2009

    Fine Gael today proposed a college graduate PRSI scheme to raise funds for the third-level sector as the party ruled out a return to third-level fees.

    The party said its scheme would allow for the abolition of college registration fees and see new entrants to college make a contribution after graduation through the PRSI system to the value of 30 per cent of the cost of their college education.

    These funds, which Fine Gael estimates would be €500 million a year, would be ring-fenced for the 3rd level sector.

    Speaking at the unveiling of the Green Paper "The Third Way," Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny TD said: there was a funding problem in our 3rd level sector that is undermining the ambition of providing graduates for the hi-tech sector.

    "Fine Gael recognises the need to bridge that funding gap and has set out a fair and progressive means of doing that.”

    Mr Kenny said the Minister for Education’s strategy in deciding a new funding model was "doomed to failure," adding: "Asking students or their parents to bail out higher education, when reform has been left to another day is an approach that I cannot support."

    “In addition, we do not support the reintroduction of fees and we propose to abolish registration fees which both act as barriers to entry to 3rd level." He said the party would also not support the introduction of a loan system where students are burdened with substantial debt when they leave college.

    “We have opted for a deferred graduate contribution scheme, where graduates pay through the PRSI system in the order of 30 per cent of the cost of their undergraduate course once they are working. This system is straightforward, free at the point of delivery and would only apply to new entrants."

    © 2009 irishtimes.com


Comments

  • #2
    thebman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,012 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    I don't think this is the case:
    there was a funding problem in our 3rd level sector that is undermining the ambition of providing graduates for the hi-tech sector.

    There are limited number of people interested in High Technology sectors. The route cause seems to be poor maths teaching or else its time to face the facts that a lot of people just aren't interested in maths.

    I think most people just don't like maths or science subjects to be honest. I liked them but I seemed to be in the minority. Most people didn't give a toss and just didn't get why the subject was interesting as far as I could see.

    I'm not saying that is a bad thing but there has to be alternatives for these people at the same time. We can't produce that number of hi-tech grads ever IMO and we should stop trying, we will if we need them import them from abroad.


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