Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1077. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science , further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 11 May, the anticipated year of completion or inclusion within the overall block grant allocation of all items currently funded from the top-slice allocation, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31823/21]
View answerMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions.
Ring-fenced allocations for specific strategic or important purposes are earmarked as part of the grant from time to time by my Department or the HEA.
This funding is generally used to steer rapidly required systemic change, tackle issues better addressed on a collective or sector manner, or handle urgent ad-hoc requirements. It can also sometimes be allocated through competitive processes based on submission and panel evaluation.
A guiding principle of top slice funding is that a top slice should be for a finite period and subsequently be mainstreamed into the main funding model or discontinued. However each top slice requires ongoing review to determine its suitability to remain as a top slice or be mainstreamed, therefore it is not possible to provide an end date for the top slices as the position is reviewed annually.
In this regard a formal consultation process between the HEA; my Department and representative bodies of the universities (Irish Universities Association) and the technological sector (Technological Higher Education Association) takes place annually to discuss the proposed ‘top-slice’ allocations for the following year.
