Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024
35. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what actions he and his Department are taking to reduce staff-to-student ratios in higher education, given Ireland was decreed to have one of the worst ratios in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. [9089/24]
View answerIn May 2022, I published a policy framework on the future of funding for third level education in Ireland. The framework identifies priority strand of work, which increased core funding could advance. The strands are:
• Strand 1: Enhance quality and international standing of the higher education system across the three missions of teaching and learning, research and engagement
• Strand 2: Drive skills and engagement – with a particular focus on essential public services
• Strand 3: Enhancing student participation and success with a focus on under-represented groups
• Strand 4: Create a unified knowledge and skills system which is balanced and integrated
• Strand 5: Address cost as a barrier to higher education and improve student supports
Following engagement with stakeholders from across the higher education system, it was determined that the recruitment of additional staff is the key enabler for the advancement of these priority areas.
Budget 2023 saw €40 million allocated towards core higher education funding under Funding the Future, while Budget 2024 saw an additional €65 million in core funding secured. This brings the total additional core funding secured since the publication of Funding the Future in May 2022 to €105m. This additional core funding is to be directed towards priorities I have communicated to the sector, which include the recruitment of additional staff to enhance academic tutoring, engagement and support services for students. As well as contributing to an enhanced student experience, this will lower the staff to student ratio and help to bring Ireland closer to international norms in this area.
A significant uplift in the ceiling of core posts was approved for the sector in recent years aligned with additional this funding. For HEA designated institutions, the uplift in 2023 represented an increase of over 1,500 posts on the 2021 ceiling.
The additional investment through Budget 2024 will lead to another significant increase in the ceiling of core posts approved. My officials are engaging with the Higher Education Authority in relation to the allocation of ceiling approvals for individual higher education institutions. This process will be finalised in the coming weeks.
