Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a comprehensive overview of the Government's financial obligations to University College Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15009/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including the Universities. The funding allocated by the HEA is not for a specific purpose but is allocated as a block grant to cover teaching, research and supporting activities. The internal disbursement of that funding is then a matter for the individual institution.

Universities are autonomous bodies as set out in the Universities Act 1997 and are responsible for their own day to day affairs, including the allocation of all of its income (both public and private) and in relation to its own financial affairs.

In 2017 UCC has been allocated a core grant of €36.3m by the HEA which represents an increase of 4.3% over the 2016 allocation. UCC also receives earmarked funding for a number of initiatives such as increased student intake to medicine and skills courses as well as funding in respect of students eligible for free fees under the Free Fees Initiative. In addition, since 2012 UCC has received over €8m in additional funding in respect of its dentistry programme in recognition of the significant costs associated with such provision.