Sir, – Further to your report on funding for higher education, ("Report on college fees must be published", May 4th), I believe the availability of suitably-qualified graduates to fill vacancies in health and mental health services among others could be successfully addressed through a publicly-funded loan system for higher education.
Graduates, who work in Ireland post-graduation, could reduce their loan incrementally for each year they work at home, while working under normal pay and conditions.
On the other hand, graduates who choose to emigrate would be required to pay their loan back to the State over time. This could help to ensure the HSE has a sufficient pool of applicants for key frontline positions in hospitals and mental health services.
Apart from addressing the issue of existing staff shortages, it could provide more equitable access to higher education.
– Yours, etc,
JOE HARRISON
Spanish Point,
Co Clare.