The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has announced radical plans to drastically cut the number of third-level colleges that are funded by the State.

Colleges will be required to merge or establish much closer links with others, either on the basis of their proximity or because of a shared specialism, the Irish Independent reports.

In the first instance, the HEA expects to reduce the number of publicly-funded colleges to 24, from 39, but ultimately aims to have just 15 across the country.

The plans will be subject to consultation before a recommendation is made to Education Minister Ruairi Quinn in March, but it is expected that future funding will depend upon a college's compliance - leaving them with virtually no option but to agree to the proposal.

One of the HEA's main aims is to implement joint academic planning in an effort to reduce the number of identical courses that are being offered in the same area.

There are currently over 170,000 students enrolled across the 39 colleges, but student numbers are expected to rise sharply in the coming years.

Written by Donal Walsh.

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