Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 479: To ask the Minister for Education and Science her plans for extra funding for the university sector in view of the fact that students are experiencing first hand the consequences of inadequate input into the provision of basic necessities that is books and facilities in colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16502/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Spending by my Department on Higher level education has increased dramatically in recent years. An amount of €783 million has been allocated to the university sector for 2007. This represents an increase of €111m since 2005. The funding being provided in 2007 marks a continuation of the significant upward trend in recurrent funding for the sector.

The overall provision by my Department for the Higher Level sector amounts to some €1.9 billion for 2007. This represents more than a doubling of the funding made available since 1997. In 1997, the amount of funding provided to the Higher level sector was approximately €850 million. The funding being provided in 2007 represents an increase of over €1 billion or 124% on the 1997 provision.

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.

Unprecedented investment is now being made in our higher education system in pursuit of the development of the knowledge base on which Ireland's growth strategy, and the economic and social benefits that will flow from that, depends. Supporting our higher education institutions is a major policy priority. 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 are key long-term investments in Ireland's future.