Will move to cushion crippling third level costs be enough?

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If the opportunities are seized, there is the potential to ensure Irish higher education can climb up rankings, improve the quality of courses and give school-leavers more options outside the CAO points race. Photograph: iStock
If the opportunities are seized, there is the potential to ensure Irish higher education can climb up rankings, improve the quality of courses and give school-leavers more options outside the CAO points race. Photograph: iStock

Successive governments have spent the best part of a decade kicking the can down the road on how to fund higher education into the future. In the meantime, universities have complained of a crisis in the sector due to under-investment, crowded classes, outdated equipment and sliding international rankings. A move to cushion crippling third-level costs is badly needed, but will it be enough?

One of the more shameful aspects of our reaction to a horrifying war unfolding in eastern Europe is how quickly it can slip our minds. It seems our capacity for constant alert is pushed to breaking point, despite the evidence that Russia's invasion of Ukraine shows little signs of abating.

A new clothing brand, a must-have brunch and 12 other things you need to know about.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the removal of article 44.2.1 from the Irish Constitution, which recognised the "special position" of the Catholic Church "as the guardian of the faith professed by the great majority of citizens". There are plenty of reminders on church power, especially when it came to women's welfare.

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Podcast: Why can't the Government get the new National Maternity Hospital over the line? Campaigners and Opposition TDs have raised concerns about the ownership of the land and the influence of Catholic ethos in the new hospital.

Cén fáth nach mbeadh sé ina chuspóir ag an Stát go mbeadh ar a laghad iriseoir amháin i mbun iriseoireachta i nGaeilge go tráthrialta i ngach nuachtán sa tír?

Stranger Things isn't the only exciting thing to return to our screens, Mike Myers is back. Ten of the best new TV shows to watch on Netflix in May.

The €3,000 student contribution fee for college students will be reduced over a number of budgets, Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris has pledged. The announcement forms part of a wider funding package for higher education published on Wednesday which commits to increasing the number of families entitled to student grants.

Tharla sé arís le déanaí. Mhúscail as a shuan ar nós arracht Locha Nis nuair ba lú a raibh coinne againn leis. Nó ba chirte a rá gur tugadh an speach sin chun beatha dó mar a tharlaíonn anois is arís.