The OECD review of Irish third-level education must not become an excuse to defer action on tackling educational disadvantage, the Opposition has warned.
The review, the scope of which was announced today by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, aims to review all aspects of higher education in Ireland and will look at the comparative Irish performance by reference to other countries.
However, Labour has claimed that comprehensive action is now required from the Minister to create more equity in the third-level system.
Earlier this year, Mr Dempsey contacted the Paris-based OECD with a view to conducting a review, which represents the first full-scale examination of the third level system since the 1960s.
Central to the proposed work will be an examination of the controversial third level fees issue in the context of future funding of third-level.
"The Minister has been in office for over a year and the only contribution we have had from him in relation to educational disadvantage at third level is a kite-flying exercise on third level fees and a minor adjustment to the maintenance grant system," Labour party spokesperson on education Ms Jan O'Sullivan, stated.
"Taking measures to ensure that students are retained in the system at primary and secondary level is vital," she added.
In May last a political storm erupted over the Minister's plan to reintroduce third level fees. Opposition to the plan was such that the Minister was forced to reverse his position and concede that the return of college fees was off the political agenda for the foreseeable future.
Soon after, he contacted the OECD with a view to conducting a review of the workings of the third-level system, including the fees issue.