Since 2020, the Department has disbursed €120m in funding for the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years (€40m for each academic year) under the Devolved Capital Grant to eligible Higher Education Institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study.
On Monday 26th June, the Department announced a further €40m million in capital devolved funding for the higher education sector for the 2023/24 academic year bringing the total funding allocated since 2020 to €160m.
€25m is considered to be the appropriate baseline grant. However for the 4th year running, an expanded grant of €40 million has been approved for the higher education sector reflecting the additional capital costs arising in the sector due to labour shortages, supply chain issues and more particularly material price increases following the invasion of Ukraine, compounded by a difficult period impacted by both COVID 19 and Brexit.
The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works. Our third level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate objectives and these funds will assist with making energy upgrades. It will also ensure our campuses are inclusive and accessible. The funding can be used to make the necessary upgrades to make campuses accessible for people with disabilities. It is a matter for individual higher education institutions to determine what works are prioritised.
I have attached a table of all allocations which have been fully drawn from 2020 to date below.
Devolved Grant Allocations
