The return of third-level fees has been backed by some of the State's leading academics in a major new report, writes Seán Flynn, Education Editor.
The report from the Royal Irish Academy (RIA) says tuition fees are needed to combat the serious underfunding of colleges, which is now threatening their ability to compete internationally.
Irish colleges, it says, are performing below the OECD average in many key areas.
It says additional investment of up to €450 million a year is needed if the gap between Irish universities and the leading European colleges is to be bridged.
Prof Patrick Cunningham of TCD, who helped to prepare the report, said last night: "We cannot continue trundling along as we are. We will be just average and average is not good enough."
As a minimum, the report, compiled by a panel of senior academics, says a 30 per cent increase is required in higher education and research.
The report says the return of fees is the only means of generating this kind of investment. Other activities, including internal cost-cutting and greater links with business, "can provide only a fraction of what is required. The main source therefore must be direct Exchequer funding." Without fees, the report warns that it will not be possible for the State to provide all of the increased funding needed.
The academy says the return of fees should be accompanied by "a robust means-tested system of grants, loans and other financial support".
The study finds that Ireland falls well behind other OECD states in key areas. These include overall investment in third-level education; the ratio of teachers to students and spending per student.
The report concludes that "Ireland is performing below average among OECD countries on all the main indicators of both input and output to the knowledge society".
The Royal Irish Academy report is a response to the landmark OECD study on higher education in the Republic. It is set to play a significant part in the developing debate on the future of the sector.
The Government, which wants a world-class third-level sector, has ruled out the return of fees "for the foreseeable future". However it remains unclear how this ambition can be achieved without vastly increased funding.
Earlier this year, the Government announced plans for a reform fund which would "reward" colleges for helping to achieve national economic and social objectives. Some academics have raised fears that the plan could see arts and humanities downgraded as colleges focus on science and research.
The Royal Irish Academy working group was chaired by Prof Cunningham. Other members included Dr Miriam Hederman O'Brien, Prof Mary Daly, Prof Vincent McBrierty, Dr Evelyn Mahon and Prof Julian Ross. The academy is an independent all-Ireland body of 320 members, elected because of their distinction as scholars.