Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
638. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how he plans to close the funding gap in higher education; and how he envisions that investment in higher education will keep pace with the OECD average investment. [46262/23]
View answerSince the formation of my Department by this Government there has been a significant improvement in funding to the higher education sector.
The Funding the Future funding and reform framework, approved by Government in May 2022, settled the question on funding higher education. The Framework identified an amount of €307 million as representing the quantum of increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes. The Framework set out the policy intention to prioritise this additional investment over a number of budgets alongside increased supports for students.
Budget 2024 provides a significant increase in funding for higher education with some €195 million in additional funding to be allocated to the sector in 2023 and 2024. This funding will lead to increased staffing levels and enhanced support services for students. It will also expand the capabilities of our higher education institutions to deliver on priority skills needs and the further development of tertiary programmes.
It includes €60 million under Funding the Future which builds on the €40 million delivered in last year’s Budget and is aligned 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. It brings the total additional core funding to the sector under Funding the Future to €100 million over two Budgets.?
I am committed to continuing the process of investing in our higher education system and to ensure it aligns comparably with EU and international funding levels.
