Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the committee members for the opportunity to speak to them this afternoon to present the 2024 Supplementary Estimates for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. My officials have provided briefing material to the secretariat of the committee, which hopefully will be of assistance to members.

This Estimate provides for a net increase of €252 million to bring the overall allocation for our Department to €4.5 billion in 2024. This represents an increase of 6% on our Revised Estimates allocation and provides for the following measures: €116 million for once-off cost-of-living measures to provide immediate and tangible relief for apprentices, undergraduates and postgraduate students against the challenges of rising costs. These supports include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative; a one third reduction in the contribution fee for apprentices in higher education benefitting about 14,000 apprentices; a once-off €1,000 increase to the post-graduate tuition fee contribution grant; and an increase to the student assistance fund of over €10 million. These are significant, impactful changes that will help to address the cost-of-living issues facing students.

A sum of €107 million is provided for public sector pay and pension costs. This includes funding of the pay agreement approved by Government in February 2024, additional Building Momentum pay costs in the higher education sector and increased pension costs in the technological university sector. Some €20 million has been allocated to respond to increased training demands in the further education and training sector including apprenticeships. Finally, €9 million has been allocated for the continuation of education supports to Ukrainian students in Ireland. These supports include English language teaching, payment of tuition fees and a monthly stipend for Ukrainian students in higher education.

In addition, as part of the Supplementary Estimate, this Department has also processed some technical adjustments, including additional expenditure costs in 2024 which were offset by savings arising on the Vote. I trust that this overview is of assistance to the committee. I am happy to take members' questions and I commend the Supplementary Estimate to the committee.