Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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779. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 1302, 1340 and 1341 of 21 April 2021, if his Department or the HEA monitor or collate information on the revenue of institutes of higher education in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22219/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In the Parliamentary Questions referenced the Deputy sought information in relation to the percentage share of public funding in the total revenue of Higher Education Institutions.

In my response I confirmed that my department does not compile the information requested by the deputy.

It is important to note that, in considering the total level of resource available to the sector, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies under legislation and have significant income streams from activities pursued through academic freedom. The accounts of HEA designated higher education institutions are audited by the C&AG annually and that the accounts are laid before the Oireachtas.

As the deputy will be aware the Higher Education Authority (HEA) monitors the overall financial position of higher education institutions designated under the authority. Officials in my department are engaging with the HEA to confirm the position and the details will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.