Tom Boland
Many associate Donagh O’ Malley as the politician who brought us free education, and O’Malley’s role was indeed significant. Photograph: Eddie Kelly
Fifty years on since ‘free education’, it’s time to reflect on who the system really serves

This year is a very significant year in the history of education in Ireland, marking the 50th anniversary of the introduction of free post-primary edu(...)

Minister for education Donogh O’Malley in 1966, the year he announced the introduction of free second-level education. Photograph: Eddie Kelly
Fifty years after free secondary education, what big idea do we need in 2017?

It is 50 years since Fianna Fáil minister for education Donogh O’Malley announced plans for free second-level education. It was not a radical policy(...)

Protesters say they occupied the Department of Education head office in Dublin to highlight “inaction” regarding allegations of misconduct at University of Limerick (above). File photograph: Google Street View
Protest at Department of Education over ‘inaction’ on UL misconduct claims

A group of protesters occupied the Department of Education head office in Dublin on Monday to highlight “inaction” regarding allegations of misconduc(...)

Dr Graham Love, new chief executive of the Higher Education Authority: “These are challenging times for higher education, but there are also exciting opportunities.” Photograph: Cyril Byrne
New HEA chief tells of ‘opportunities’ for colleges

The new chief executive of the Higher Education Authority has said there are “exciting opportunities” for universities and institutes of technology d(...)

Tom Boland, former head of the Higher Education Authority, says hostility among politicians towards higher education must end. Photograph: Alan Betson
Hostility among politicians to higher education sector must end

Around the world populism and xenophobia offer extraordinary challenges to our democratic societies. Both feed on prejudice and baseless assertion.(...)

Broke Irish universities are slipping down the rankings and missing Brexit opportunities

On paper, it is a golden opportunity for the State’s universities. The Republic’s soon to materialise status as the biggest English-speaking member o(...)

Minister for Education Richard Bruton Photograph: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
HEA to conduct full review into funding

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is to conduct a full review into the way it funds third-level institutions on foot of a recommendation by the exp(...)

The University of Cambridge in England. Education authorities are concerned that the fallout of the Brexit vote will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of Irish third-level students choosing to study in Ireland. File photograph: Loic Vennin/AFP/Getty Images
Brexit may lead to surge in third-level students in Ireland

Education authorities are concerned that the fallout of the Brexit vote will lead to a dramatic increase in the number of Irish students studying at t(...)

Trinity College Dublin has warned that the vote will have “a long-term impact on universities in the Republic of Ireland”. Photograph: Bryan O’Brien
Irish students in UK unlikely to face sudden hike in fees

Thousands of Irish students who are currently studying in Britain and Northern Ireland are unlikely to face an immediate increase in fees as result o(...)

Deirdre Corr: “I think young women have a perception that they won’t fit in on a computer science course, but women can bring great balance and new ways of thinking to the industry.”
CAO countdown: Tech graduates in demand amid skills shortage

Even before the ink had dried on her thesis, Deirdre Corr had a dilemma: which job offer should she take up? She wasn’t alone. The tech sector is f(...)