Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
142. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that he will ensure that any increase in funding to the higher education sector is translated into better employment conditions for the many workers in the sector in precarious employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25394/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to funding, on May 4th I launched Funding the Future – the Government's policy response to the Cassells and DG Reform Reviews on the future of higher education. Funding the Future 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.
- Plans to consider options to address cost as a barrier to higher education, and how we will pursue funding measures on these issues through the Estimates process, including in respect of reductions to the student contribution and enhancements to the SUSI grant in line with the Student Grant Review. In prioritising core funding increases, the intention is that quality of outcomes will improve, the agility and responsiveness of higher education will be strengthened and the reputation of Ireland’s higher education system will be enhanced, including in international rankings.
As outlined in the framework, the Department considers the current student staff ratios challenge quality and have contributed to deterioration in the position of Irish institutions in international rankings. The adoption of a sustainable funding model will enable steps be taken to move back towards European and OECD norms in terms of staffing ratios. It will also support the sector in moving away from the scale of use of more precarious forms of employment arrangement, subject to DPER engagement and agreement.
Future Funding implementation will be based on partnership between Government, our agencies, the higher education sector and key stakeholders including staff representation. In addition I am establishing an Implementation Group - which I intend to chair - to provide guidance to my Department in the rollout of the Funding and Reform Framework and focus on creating a unified system and improving pathways between further and higher education. I am delighted to chair this group alongside my co-chairs Professor Tom Collins and Professor Anne Looney, both experts in the field. It is intended to invite staff representation to be part of the implementation group and the inaugural meeting of the group is being scheduled at present.
