Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 May 2022
600. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline plans he has to allocate additional resources from the National Training Fund to higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 4th of May I launched Funding the Future – a landmark policy on the future of higher education. Funding the Future, which was approved for publication by Government, settles the question on funding Higher Education. The Government has decided that income contingent loans for fees will not form part of the future funding model. Instead, the Government is committing to a multi-funded model of additional Exchequer investment and employer contributions through the National Training Fund.
The policy sets out the vision and direction of higher education funding, our commitment to addressing legacy issues in higher education and detailing our ambitious plans for investment and reform. This includes planned additional investment of €307 million to address core funding challenges for our institutions, that will be made over a number of years through annual budgetary processes. This does not account for future demographic needs or new policy proposals for higher education.
Given the strong need for alignment of skills outputs with needs of employers, it is proposed that the National Training Fund will continue to form part of the funding model. Investment to date through the National Training Fund has made a significant contribution, supporting apprenticeship provision, funding innovative approaches through the Human Capital Initiative and delivering enterprise focused programmes which are responsive to skills needs. This continued investment is strategically important to the continued agility and responsiveness of higher education to national socio and economic priorities.
The allocation for each scheme under the NTF is generally determined as part of the annual Estimates process with the NTF being included as an annex to the published Estimates of my Department. As the Deputy will appreciate the exact source of funding, either Exchequer or NTF, is subject to future budget considerations and it is not possible at this time to speculate on any changes to the NTF contributions.
