Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Martin’s general point is perfectly correct that the attractiveness and reputation of this country for foreign direct investment is built on the energy of young people and the mark they make. That is through the educational system, which is not perfect but which has more than measured up against any of its competitors around the world. Primary, second and third level are all important parts of that jigsaw. From the evidence of my engagements with business abroad, Ireland’s reputation is a very important cornerstone, more so than tax in many respects, for people who want to invest here and work with the young Irish.

The Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Bruton, has received the Cassells report, which sets out three options. The report will go to the Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills for consideration and discussion. Deputy Martin is well aware that most of the universities raise significant sums of money themselves for their capital programmes, assisted in part by the State. There is always a balance to be achieved between the output from universities and the challenge to provide sufficient money for them. We did not have this capacity for many years. I do not want to predict the outcome of the budget allowances but this report will be considered very carefully because that is in the country’s interests.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has signed off in general with Ministers in respect of the budget for 2017 but it is an issue that concerns Government because the future years will in many ways depend on a world that is changing so rapidly and upon Ireland’s flexibility to deal with those challenges and changes. The third level sector has to be at the core of that. The report will go to the committee and the Minister looks forward to hearing the views of the Deputies and parties and their observations on the priorities. The budget will be outlined at sectoral level at the committees and will be presented by the Minister in October.

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