Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 October 2023
357. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will implement to address the issues identified in the Funding The Future policy document of May 2022; if he will have the correspondence from an association (details supplied) given detailed consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43396/23]
View answerIn May 2022, I launched Funding the Future, a landmark funding and reform framework for higher education. Funding the Future confirmed that a mixed funding model would be adopted to ensure the sustainable funding of higher education into the future. This comprises a mix of Exchequer investment, employer contributions through the National Training Fund and student contributions.
Under Funding the Future, a figure of €307 million was identified as representing the quantum of increase in core funding to the higher education sector which is required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes.
Budget 2023 delivered €40m additional funding, aligned to Funding the Future, as an initial step with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance.
Detailed engagements and consideration of proposals, including those referred to by the Deputy, are ongoing in relation to Budget 2024.
