Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 499: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her views on the continued underfund in the areas of student supports and the infrastructure of colleges and the fact that Ireland invests less public money in undergraduate education compared to other leading European economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14051/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Higher education in Ireland has come through a period of major expansion. Overall investment in the sector on a per annum basis has more than doubled since this Government took Office in 1997. In 1997, the amount of funding provided to the Higher Education level sector was approx. €850 million. The funding being provided in 2007 represents an increase of over €1 billion or 124% on the 1997 provision. Investment in the sector now stands at some €1.9 billion for this year.

Support for reform and development at third level and the creation of world class excellence at fourth level are now central Government priorities. The new National Development Plan 2007-2013, recognises the critical role of higher education in the national innovation system that will be the basis of Ireland's economic and social development. The Plan identifies the full funding of the sector — over €13 billion through the period — as a key strategic investment under the Plan.

The ongoing development and expansion of the sector under the Plan will be supported by enhanced investments in the development of campus infrastructure — with an almost €2 billion dedicated building programme — and through further support for the programme of reform and development that is under way in the sector.

Major improvements have been made by this Government in both the income limits for eligibility and the actual grant levels for third level student support. This includes the introduction of the special rate of maintenance grant. The higher rate of this grant is now at a record level of nearly €6,000 for the 2006/07 academic year — compared to just over €2,000 in 1996/97. The allocation for student support schemes in this current year is in excess of €241m.

The targeted investments that this Government is now making in our higher education infrastructure, in promoting excellence through system wide collaboration and change, in widening access and in creating a vibrant fourth level sector is a clear demonstration of this Governments support for the higher education sector.