Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made in relation to the programme for Government commitment on addressing long-term challenges such as long-term funding models in higher education. [33805/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium to long term. As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector.

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 this process will address the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we must in the interim also consider the immediate challenges, and in that context I am pleased that in Budget 2017 I secured for the first time in nine years additional funding for the sector. In 2017 an additional €36.5 million will be made available with €160 million additional over the next three years.

It is also intended to carry out a policy review in order to implement a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. This review will be in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy and will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Expert Group report.