Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy states, the Government and my party have emphasised the importance of higher education and it is a central part of the Government's plan to support a strong economy and deliver a fair society. The package of measures announced for the sector in the budget reflects this priority, which will help all students. To recap, we are providing an initial investment of €36.5 million in the sector this year and €160 million over the next three years. It is the first significant investment in the sector for nine years and we are in a position to do this because of the improving economy. The Minister, Deputy Bruton, has made it very clear he intends to continue that support. It is the first significant investment in nine years, a period in which State investment in higher education fell by 33%, or €463 million. We are now keeping pace with the demographic increases and there are also targeted initiatives in priority areas, particularly in trying to ensure there is more focus on research, flexible learning and dealing with thousands of students benefitting from initiatives. There is a multi-year spending plan for the sector and we want to ensure we have a sustainable system of funding going forward.

As the Deputy knows, in 2016 the Minister published the Cassells report and, as committed to in the programme for Government, the report is currently with the Oireachtas committee. The Minister has said this is an area where it would be preferable to have broad political consensus and he is working to build that here. The Oireachtas committee is examining the option mentioned by the Deputy as well as other options. The consultation paper on the introduction of the Exchequer mechanism was published in March and it stated that technical work will be undertaken on an income-contingent student loan scheme by an interdepartmental group in order to inform future policy options, including in light of the recommendations that will come from the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education and Skills. The work is of an administrative and technical nature and it will ensure the Department is in a position to respond once the committee has completed its work and published its recommendations. These issues are under ongoing consideration by the Department. The Minister will examine the final report and he is also doing some background work. No decision has been taken in this regard but the issues are being examined. Further work will be completed in order to ensure we have all the information we need.

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