Head of university calls for 18-month review of fees to be completed sooner

THE 18-MONTH review of the university fees issue is not business-like and should be reduced, according to the chancellor of the University of Limerick.

Peter Malone also called for continuing investment in construction studies despite the economic downturn because of the danger of losing skills in the area.

While he refrained from saying whether or not university fees should be reintroduced, Mr Malone said the Government's review should be "undertaken as a matter of great urgency and completed in a shorter period than the 18 months which has been proposed".

However, Mr Malone, who is also chairman of the National Roads Authority, CB Richard Ellis, and the Business Tourism Forum, said there was a "serious funding crisis" at third level due to under-investment in recent years.

He said world-class teaching and research standards could not be attained unless additional State financing was provided.

Commenting as 2,326 people were preparing to graduate from the university this week, he said the third-level sector was vital to the "knowledge economy" and had delivered well for Ireland.

Mr Malone urged students to keep faith with the construction industry by choosing courses in related disciplines.

"There has been much comment in recent times about the difficulties in the construction industry. Inevitably this has led some students to steer clear of university programmes that might lead to employment in the construction sector."

However, he believed the industry was "robust" and current setbacks temporary. For example, the roll-out of the national roads programme over coming years would guarantee "challenging and rewarding" career opportunities for graduates.