Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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469. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education by the European Commission DG Reform Programme; when he expects the evaluation to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education.  The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy against the backdrop of rapid technological change. 

In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme.   

My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consultants.  The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options including the existing student contribution and other supports. This work is expected to be complete towards the latter part of Q1 2021.

Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future funding which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.