Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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428. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline his views on the large sums of money which have been provided to third level education institutions here from an organisation (details supplied); the collaboration his Department undertakes with this grant-giving body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1528/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The organisation referred to by the Deputy has been very generous in supporting a range of projects in the third level sector in this country. It has also made a huge contribution to the development of research funding in the sector. As Minister for Education and Skills I have not had any direct engagement with the organization in relation to such supports.

 The Deputy will be also aware that the Report on the Future Funding for Higher Education, which is currently with the Joint Oireachtas Committee for consideration, sets out the funding challenges in the sector and encourages the active pursuit of Philanthropy as a means of maximising funding for third level.

The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I, announced a policy review with the aim of designing and implementing a funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased donations from private sources, in this case the employer, along with increased State support. The policy review will be published by the end of April 2017 and will complement on the ongoing work of the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Cassells report.