Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 65: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when he will announce his plans for third level funding reform. [12268/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, the process to develop a new national strategy for higher education is now underway which is being overseen by a high level steering group, chaired by economist Dr Colin Hunt and comprising national and international expertise including academic, business, community and student interests, as well as senior government officials. It is expected that the group will complete its work before the end of the year.

The process affords a timely opportunity to review the environment for higher education and the challenges and changes that are impacting on the sector. An examination of the overall operational, governance and resourcing framework are important elements of the strategy review. The Government is investing unprecedented levels of public funding in higher education. In 2008 some €2 billion was invested in our third level sector. In contributing to the achievement of national policy goals for social and economic development into the future, it can be anticipated that there will be continuing significant resource needs for the sector. It is appropriate to raise questions around how future additional resource needs can be met and in particular how our higher education institutions can be supported in their development ambitions through a widening of their non-Exchequer sources of income, including through a new form of student contribution.

I am currently finalising a review of policy options relating to the introduction of a form of student contribution. It is my intention to bring proposals in the near future to Government in relation to the available options.