Bruton wants more children to go on to higher education

Minister for Education Richard Bruton says he wants to see more children go on to higher level education and that a complete review of the Déis system is required.

Speaking ahead of the start of the Leaving and Junior Cert exams on Tuesday, the Minister said education is the engine room that drives the country’s ability in areas such as economic ambitions, social and cultural affairs and public service.

“To do that we have to have a sustainable funding model,” he told Newstalk Breakfast.

The Minister added that education expert Peter Cassels has prepared a report that puts forward a number of solutions. "One is a type of loan cum graduate tax, another is a higher contribution from employers, while another is a higher contribution from the State and there can be a variation of those," he said.

“We do need to find new resources, to see real value. Need to see a better outcome within the system. This is a strategy to develop the best possible higher education system.

“As soon as Education Committee is established we need to share the report from Peter Cassels, we need to talk people through, so we can make a mature decision for the future.

“In the past something like this would have become a political football, with finger pointing about what direction are you going. In this situation we need to see what is in the best interests of the country over the coming years.

“A decision will not be made immediately, we need time to work this through, this is the new way the Dáil works. People have to take their national responsibilities more seriously.”

Asked about the ASTI decision in relation to the Lansdowne Road Agreement, Mr Bruton said: “If they make a decision to step outside the Lansdowne Road agreement, that does have consequences.

“They will lose future money, in the context of things coming their way, substitution pay, increments, these are what Lansdowne Road is giving. Lansdowne Road offers a way where everyone shares in the recovery.”

ASTI members voted last autumn not to accept the Lansdowne Road agreement, but had continued to abide by the Haddington Road agreement that expires at the end of next month.

Recently, ASTI members had voted to withdraw from the Croke Park hours upon completion of Haddington Road.