Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to say at the outset, and perhaps we will have time to get into it during Question Time, that I look forward to working with all Members of the House and all spokespersons on a number of the issues we will have to address arising from the Ukrainian situation, in terms of supporting students including those who are already here. I know this is an issue on which Deputy Conway-Walsh and I will want to work together. We will have a lot of work to do on English language supports. I wanted to say this on my first opportunity to do so in the Dáil.

I am very committed to resolving the issue of the funding model for higher education. It is priority issue. It is essential for ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society. I will bring forward a proposal on a funding model to Government, which will be implemented as part of budgets. Implementation will entail the sector delivering strengthened performance and enhanced outcomes based on a robust reform agenda. The Deputy would expect this of me. Students and taxpayers would also expect this. This approach will be informed by the comprehensive economic evaluation of funding options which, as the Deputy said, has been carried out under the auspices of the European Commission's structural reform support programme.

I brought this matter to the Cabinet committee on economic recovery shortly before Christmas. This allowed me the opportunity to explore key issues with Government colleagues including the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. It was agreed that I and the Department would engage with the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister, Deputy Michael McGrath, to inform the Government's consideration, in particular undertaking technical work to update costings reflecting relevant funding decisions in the most recent budget and other issues. I am please to inform the Deputy this work is nearing finalisation. This work has sought to robustly assess the assumptions underpinning the economic evaluation and to take account of the significant levels of State funding which have been invested in higher education and student support in recent years.

It is my intention to bring final proposals for funding and reform of higher education arising from this work to Government very shortly. I mean "very shortly" sincerely. I am very clear that, from a policy perspective, addressing the sustainability of the higher education system must proceed in tandem with measures which address the costs of education and ensure they are never a barrier to accessing higher education.

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