Third Level Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 December 2016

Wednesday, 7 December 2016

Questions (93, 94)

Carol Nolan

Question:

93. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the report Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education (details supplied) the ICLs were introduced in 2018 on the basis of a student contribution of €4,000 for the current number of full-time undergraduates, including those whose fees are paid on their behalf, assessed at costing €600 million and the default rate assessed at 20%, the impact this would have on fiscal space for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38895/16]

Carol Nolan

Question:

94. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of the report Investing in National Ambition: A Strategy for Funding Higher Education (details supplied) the ICLs were introduced on the basis of a student contribution of €4,000 for the current number of full-time undergraduates, including those whose fees are paid on their behalf, assessed at €600 million, in view of the fact that this implies an annual provision for €600 million which would impact on the debt decline required under the fiscal rules, the impact this would this have under the debt rule in relation to fiscal space for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38896/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

I proposes to take Questions Nos. 93 and 94 together.

In Budget 2017 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I, announced a policy review with the aim of designing and implementing a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. The review will be undertaken as part of the overall response to meeting the anticipated skills needs in the economy over the coming years, in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy.

It will include an analysis of the business case for enhanced investment in the higher and further education and training sectors. In this context it will identify key elements of the new funding model and of the expected impacts including those on employers. The review will include consultation with stakeholders. The policy review will be published by the end of April 2017, and will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Cassells report.

This work which has commenced will encompass the issues raised and will be ongoing for a number of months.