Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have a timeframe. We will be publishing our apprenticeship plan within weeks. We will publish the investment plan in conjunction with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in April. We will have the capital review early next year. As part of the process we will be putting forward a strong case for more investment in higher and further education. That is coming up the track early next year.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform has committed that in the 2018 budget we will continue the progress of investment in the third level sector. We have a clear framework up to the next budget and beyond. I do not accept that there is a lack of urgency. There is a deep problem. We do not have a sustainable funding model for our system of higher education. That has been recognised by everyone across the sector. However, we are putting in place the framework that can rebuild it.

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