Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

107. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made regarding a new campus for Cavan Institute at Cathedral Road, Drumalee, Cavan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6369/22]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

142. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the new capital build for Cavan Institute including the site location and timeline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6368/22]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

515. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the provision of additional accommodation for a college (details supplied) can be progressed at an early date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6433/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 142 and 515 together.

The new National Development Plan (NDP) provides for a step up in capital funding and a significantly more ambitious phase of capital investment in the FET sector. My Department, in conjunction with SOLAS, has undertaken significant planning work to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required to underpin and support this major programme of FET investment.

I will shortly confirm a framework for applications for new FET capital projects, in line with the provisions of the Public Spending Code and the Future FET Strategy. This will provide Education and Training Boards (ETBs) with a process to put forward new projects that will both upgrade and enhance FET infrastructure and that will advance the priorities of the Future FET Strategy – building skills, fostering inclusion and facilitating pathways.

A project for permanent accommodation for Cavan Institute will be considered as part of this next investment phase, noting that the project was previously part of the school building programme, prior to the establishment of my Department. Cavan Monaghan ETB will be required to submit a proposal in line with the framework established for FET major capital projects and in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code. This process will allow options to be considered in relation to the potential campus location and other relevant project parameters.

Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

108. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the Cassells report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6382/22]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

138. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the economic evaluation on the Cassells report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6089/22]

Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

514. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress being made on the Cassell report from 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6284/22]

Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

522. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he will publish the economic evaluation of the Cassell’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6536/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 108, 138, 514 and 522 together.

My Department's Statement of Strategy 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, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education (2016), was commissioned under the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme in November 2019. The final report deliverable was agreed between the Commission (DG Reform) and it's consultants in 2021.

My Department has commenced its examination of the report's analysis, findings, conclusions and recommendations as part of developing proposals to present to Government to seek it’s support to a sustainable future funding model and transformed FET and HE sector as contained in the Statement of Strategy. Once this examination is concluded the report will be submitted to Government for consideration in advance of its publication.

I have also been engaging with Government colleagues in relation to future funding for this sector as we work towards Government consideration of the report and decision on the key issues.

In terms of funding, in advance of and since the publication of the 2016 it is important to note that significant programme of re-investment in higher education has been implemented. Since 2015 annual expenditure allocated to higher education has increased by more than 40%. In 2022 this allocation will be in excess of €2billion.

This significant allocation of public resources is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to meeting the funding needs of the higher education sector.