Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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6. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the unsustainable model for third level education funding through an increase of capital spending by €10 million in order for Ireland to retain a highly educated workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29940/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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In recognition of funding pressures in the higher education sector, an Expert Group chaired by Peter Cassells was established in summer 2014 to examine funding arrangements for higher education. The Report of the Expert Group, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration. As committed to in the Programme for Government, I have referred the report to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. This will ensure that all views can be heard and considered.

We will require reasonable consensus to enable us to move forward with a realistic and achievable strategy for funding the system into the future. I shall work with the Education Committee as it analyses all of the options put forward by the Expert Group and hears the voice of all stakeholders.

While Cassells deals with the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we also have to consider the immediate challenges and these are the subject of discussions currently in the context of Budget 2017.