The president of the American Chamber of Commerce has said Ireland's education system needs 'substantial investment' to enable the workforce to remain attractive to multinational companies.
Speaking at a chamber lunch, Eoin O'Driscoll said the Government had invested heavily 15 years ago in developing third level education, but since then other countries had rapidly increased their education spending.
He said that in a recent ranking, Ireland had only three third level institutions in the world's top 500, with the leading university at number 287.
Mr O'Driscoll, who also chaired the Enterprise Strategy Group last year, said Ireland mow had to reform governance and increase funding in third level. He called for more industry and business representatives on university governing bodies.
He also urged a review of funding. 'We now have a culture where parents are willing to pay for private second level schooling for their children. There is no reason why those with the ability to do so should not also pay for the education of their children at third level,' he said.
