Rónán Mullen (Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Fáilte romhat, a Aire. I would like to discuss academic freedom and the Athena Swan charter with the Minister but first I want to ask about the core funding commitment. The Minister's predecessor said after the Cassells report and the Funding the Future document that the issue of higher education funding in the future was settled. He was referring to the set figure of €307 million being made available annually, over and above the existing core funding. I thank the Minister for circulating his words in advance but I note he estimates that €650 million extra will be paid out in addition to core funding between now and 2030, inclusive. That is no more than €120 million more per year, on average. If we count the years that have been missed out in terms of reaching that core funding, what is promised brings us only a third of the way to the objective. To put it another way, adding up the increases each year in the core funding to be committed, starting with €50 million next year and €25 million for each subsequent year, and even adding another €100 million, it is still not at the €307 million.

While there is much to welcome in the budget, is it not the case that the Government is still falling short of the core funding increase promise that was given in 2022?