Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 December 2020
337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied that the budget for his Department is adequate to meet the anticipated requirements throughout 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42840/20]
View answerA summary of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science funding allocations for 2021 is set out in Chapter 9 of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s 2021 Expenditure Report that was published on 13 October 2020 as part of 2021 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2021, with the caveat that this does not reflect transfers of funding and functions which have since taken place from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The full details on the 2021 allocations for each Departmental Vote, including my Department’s Voted and National Training Fund allocations, will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published later this month. The funding to be allocated to my Department in the 2021 REV will include a Covid-19 funding element. This funding is being provided for the remainder of the academic year 2020/21 arising in 2021. Funding for the academic year 2021/2022 will be reviewed in line with the latest public health advice available. In this regard, a central contingency reserve has been established and will be used to allocate any agreed additional Covid financial supports to my Department for the remainder of 2021.
