Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 October 2020
200. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €167 million announced as Covid-19 related expenditure in Budget 2021 is separate and in addition to the €168 million announced in July 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31911/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra201. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €167 million announced as Covid-19 related expenditure in the Budget 2021 will be spent by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31912/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra202. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €38 million allocation of additional resources in Budget 2021 will be spent by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31913/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 200 to 202, inclusive, together.
As announced in July, the government has provided additional and re-prioritised funding in the amount of €168m to enable providers to facilitate the safe return of students to further and higher education in 2020, in the context of public health advice. This funding includes provision for PPE and equipment, online learning costs, student supports and research costs and is specific to 2020.
Through Budget 2021, as detailed in the 2021 Expenditure Report, funding will be provided to meet demographic and other pressures across the sectors, including Covid-19 impacts, and to provide for additional upskilling and reskilling opportunities, as well as increased capacity and places in the higher education sector. The funding in this Vote as noted in the Expenditure Report includes the National Training Fund.
The report notes that from an expenditure perspective there are two distinct policy goals that will need to be addressed in budgetary decisions over the medium term: providing for the core budgetary programmes; and funding Covid-19 related policy responses.
In this regard the €38m represents additional resources for the core budgetary programmes while the €167million represents funding Covid-19 related policy responses. Funding in respect of demographics and the central pay agreement provision are listed separately.
While full details on the allocation of resources across spending areas will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) I have highlighted below key measures to me met from the increased 2021 allocations referenced by the Deputy:
- Continuation of July Stimulus and 2021 Skills Package to reskill and upskill people affected by the pandemic;
- Research investment to support researchers, build capacity, support Covid research, and strengthen north-south research links;
- Funding will be provided to sustain additional places in higher education following exceptional increased demand arising from the Calculated Grade model on this years Leaving Certificate;
- Ensure students impacted by Covid have access to necessary supports through SUSI to facilitate active participation in education;
- Increased SUSI grant supports for post-graduate students;
- Additional support for the PATH access initiative to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.
