Fórsa and other education unions affiliated to the Irish Congress of Trade Unions have called on the next government to tackle Ireland’s third-level funding deficit as a priority.

The group of unions is set to publish a report setting out the case for a fully publicly-funded third-level system, which would also include measures to address the increasing problem of precarious work in the sector.

Third-level funding had fallen dramatically, by about 15% in recent years. This has damaged the education system as a whole – and it’s a drag on economic growth and economic equality.

Fórsa’s head of education Andy Pike said the union fully supports the call for significant investment in our higher education system.

“We are witnessing a managed reduction in funding where costs are passed on to students. This is manifestly unfair as access to higher education must be provided regardless of the ability to pay. This report will highlight the benefits of a publicly-funded third-level sector in driving research and innovation for the whole economy,” he said.

Andy said all education institutions need sustainable funding “none more so than the technological universities and institutes of technology, which are at the forefront of providing access for students from working class backgrounds. The incoming government needs to act to secure the future of our third level sector,” he said.

The unions also raised concern over the lack of transparency in the grant system and the cost of living, specifically housing, for students.

The Congress education group is made up of Fórsa along with ASTI, the TUI, INTO, SIPTU, IFUT, and Unite. The unions represents staff working across primary, secondary and third levels.