Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 July 2022
52. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the purposes for which the extra funding for third level education recently announced by him will be used; the amount of this extra funding that will be available in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36659/22]
View answerThe Government has agreed a sustainable funding model for higher education . Following an extensive economic assessment undertaken through the European Commission's DG Reform programme, €307 million has been identified as the level of funding required to address the current underfunding in Higher Education.
My policy position in this regard was articulated in Funding our Future, the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future funding of higher education. Sustainable funding for the sector and measures to address the cost of education must proceed in tandem if we are to meet our ambition of improved outcomes for learners and the system as a whole. This process is critical to enabling a number of key reforms, protecting quality and ensuring a fit for purpose sector which is enabled to evolve and adapt to future challenges.
It is the Government’s intention that implementing the funding and reform framework will improve quality of outcomes from tertiary education, will strengthen the agility and responsiveness of higher education and will enhance the reputation of Ireland’s higher education system internationally, including in international rankings.
The reforms and strategic outcomes identified by Government as a priority are as follows;
- Create unified knowledge and skills system which is balanced and integrated
- Strengthen representation in higher education for underrepresented groups
- Enhance quality by reducing the ratio of students to academic staff to comparable EU and OECD norms
- Reinforce alignment of sector with skills needs of the country – including those needed to deliver essential public services and meet national goals
- Drive forward a culture of lifelong learning.
I have established the HE Reform Implementation Group to bring about the benefits of ‘Funding the Future’. The work of this group and it working groups is intensively under way and all groups have met twice and are progressing their agendas.
As we move into the budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society; and working with aegis bodies will assess requirements and funding availability for 2023.
