Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent to which the proportion of the national budget under that heading has varied in the past ten years; if continued access to third level for all students seeking to avail of third level education will be ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14658/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher education is a central part of our plan as a Government to support a strong economy and deliver a fair society.
I have prioritised investment in higher education in the past two budgets, as part of a broader contribution to developing a long-term sustainable funding model for the sector.
As a result, my Department is investing €100m more in higher education in 2018 compared to 2016. Separate to this is the provision which I have made for pay restoration costs in 2018. We will seek to build on this progress in Budget 2019.
I have provided details of my Department’s allocation to Higher Education funding in the table attached. These figures include current funding and student grant assistance allocations for the past 5 years.
Promoting access to higher education for under-represented groups continues to be a priority for me. The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-19 contains more than 30 actions that are intended to make higher education more representative of wider society. This includes initiatives to encourage entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education; first time mature student entrants and students with disabilities.
Funding Allocated to Higher Education
|
2014* |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
€1,389,484,000 |
€1,307,939,015 |
€1,390,202,016 |
€1,452,596,017 |
€1,471,331,018 |
2014* includes Research Funding Allocation which is reported differently from 2015 onwards
