Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I have just received the report referred to by the Deputy, which relates to the sustainability of the existing funding framework for higher education. The report, which was undertaken by the Higher Education Authority, was submitted to me on Monday of this week. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between funding levels, the scale of growth and the maintenance of quality in the system so that realistic and sustainable levels of growth in numbers can be supported and better informed choices on policy options for future funding can be made. I will consider its findings and discuss them with my Government colleagues as part of our budgetary deliberations. I understand the board of the Higher Education Authority will consider the report at its next meeting on 29 November next. After the report has been considered, it is my intention that the Higher Education Authority should arrange to publish it without delay.

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