Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1254. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the estimated annual cost to the State to implement each of the funding options laid out in the 2016 Cassells report for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39746/21]

Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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1255. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the report by the European Commission on the analysis of the Cassells report has been delayed; when it will be available to the public; and if recommendations from the Commission’s report will be implemented for the 2021-2022 academic year. [39747/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1254 and 1255 together.

My Department's Statement of Strategy, which I published on 8 March last, contains a commitment to put in place a sustainable funding model for the higher education. This is essential in ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and performance, and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society.

The report referred to in the Deputy's question was commissioned under the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme in November 2019. The independent consultants appointed by the Commission - Indecon and LE Europe - were required under the terms of reference to undertake a detailed review of the three specific funding options contained in the report of the Expert Group on Future Funding of Higher Education.

The consultants were also tasked by the Commission with examining the steps necessary to adapt higher education and further education and training provision in Ireland to ensure an alignment between graduate output and qualifications and the current and expected future skills need of the Irish labour market, to provide the country with the right set of skills to ensure inclusive, smart and sustainable growth.

The terms of reference agreed by the Commission also required the consultants to identify options for putting in place a new funding system for higher education in Ireland that would provide equity in access, efficiency in the investment of public resources and sustainability in the face of strong demographic growth.

The final deliverable arising from the project was submitted to the European Commission recently. Following its completion my Department has commenced its examination of the report's analysis, findings, conclusions and recommendations in order to develop proposals for Government to seek to meet the commitment contained in its Statement of Strategy. Once this examination is concluded the report will be submitted to Government for consideration in advance of its publication.

It is, of course, important to acknowledge that in the five years from 2015 a very significant programme of re-investment in higher education has been implemented. Over that period current public expenditure allocated to the higher education sector has increased by in excess of half a billion euros or almost 40 per cent. In 2021 total planned current expenditure funding of the higher education sector exclusive of research provision is in the order of €1.98 billion.

This huge allocation of public resources is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to meeting the funding needs of the higher education sector in order to more fully realise its potential in contributing to economic and societal priorities which are central to this country's long-term sustainability.

I am committed to ensuring that we grasp the opportunity provided by the comprehensive and detailed work which has now been completed in relation to this crucial issue and take the actions necessary to increase the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland. This will require a commitment to change and transformation across both higher education and the whole of the tertiary education system. I am confident that all stakeholders are ready to step up to this vital challenge.