Written answers

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Third Level Costs

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he plans in order to deal with concerns regarding third level student support and funding challenges for third level institutions. [34871/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department is investing in a significant programme of student supports in the 2016/17 academic year in order to assist students from under-represented groups to participate in and complete higher education.

In total, my Department will provide more than €408million on student supports in 2016.

This encompasses the student grant scheme which will assist circa 80,000 students in 2016/17. The grant scheme is complemented by the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities, as well as a programme of scholarships and bursaries.

The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, clearly outlines the funding challenges facing the higher education sector. The report also makes a number of recommendations for consideration for the future. As committed to in the Programme for Government, I have referred the report of the expert group to the relevant Oireachtas Committee for its consideration, in order to build political consensus on the most appropriate future funding model for the higher education sector.

While the Cassells report deals with the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we also have to consider the immediate challenges. In that context, I am pleased to have secured additional funding for the sector, in Budget 2017, for the first time in nine years. In 2017, an additional €36.5m will be made available as part of a €160m three year funding package. This will allow the sector keep pace with demographic increases and introduce targeted initiatives in areas such as disadvantage, skills, research and flexible learning. Among those who will benefit from the additional third level funding being made available are students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lone parents, and Travellers.

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 Cassells report.

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