Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 121 of 1 June 2023, for a status update on the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the development of the preliminary business case; if it has been completed and returned to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40732/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that late last year I announced that Galway Roscommon ETBs (GRETBs) strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Galway city was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund.

This proposal is now at the next stage of development, which involves the development of a preliminary business case which is a fundamental part of the public spending code requirements.

The proposal put forward by Galway Roscommon ETB envisages the development of a new state-of-the-art FET campus on a site adjacent to its Mervue Training facility. This proposed new development would facilitate the strengthening of FET provision in Galway City and the wider region due to its close proximity to the training Centre in Mervue, Atlantic Technological University and the University of Galway.

Following my update to the Deputy earlier this year, SOLAS has continued to work closely with GRETB and all other successful ETBs during the development phase of their proposal. ETBs will shortly complete and return their preliminary business cases to SOLAS for evaluation.

I would also like to let the Deputy know that earlier this month my Department gave approval to appoint a design team under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for two proposals put forward by GRETB in Petersburg and Mervue. The investment in Petersburg will support the development of a number of courses including a specialist arboreal apprenticeship provision while the project in Mervue involves the creation of a Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Hub.

I remain firmly committed to supporting Further Education Institutes and the wider sector in achieving their vision for FET education and provision and ensuring that we have the appropriate infrastructure to support our learners and teaching staff.

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 120 together.

In the Funding our Future report which was published in May 2022 and updated last month [August], I confirmed the Government’s intention to increase the funding given to third level institutions and to reduce the cost of education, at all levels, including PhD.

The August update highlights the work of Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney, two experts I appointed in November 2022 to undertake an independent national review of state supports for PhD Researchers.

The Co-Chairs submitted their first report to me last May which is available on WWW.Gov.ie.

In this, they recommend an increased stipend level with an optimum target of €25,000, subject to funding availability. They acknowledge the potential ramifications of any such change on public finances and recognise that significant additional work will be needed in order give effect to such a recommendation.

Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council competitively award stipends to approximately 3,000 PhD students.

The institutional scholarships provided by the higher education institutions are of varying levels and determined by the institutions themselves. These are supported through institutional core funding, i.e. through the block grant provided by the Higher Education Authority. There are approximately 2,000 PhD students in receipt of such support.

The financial implications arising from the recommendations of this independent review are currently being considered by my officials through the normal budgetary processes.

The Co-Chairs are preparing their concluding report to consider, firstly, the equality, diversity and inclusion dimension of PhD provision and, secondly, the status of PhD students. I look forward to receiving their independent final report shortly.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is considering any one-off cost-of-living measures for higher education, similar to last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40592/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government and my Department is committed to reducing the cost of college for students and their families and a number of measures were introduced in Budget 2023 benefiting thousands of students.

In advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I published an options paper on 21^stAugust 2023 which sets out for the Government's consideration, various options to the cost of education for families and students. This paper identifies costs and potential impacts of options and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.

This options paper has been expanded this year to include options on cost reduction across Further & Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships. Costings outlined in the paper include:- improvements to supports under the Student Grant Scheme; student contribution reduction methods; additional supports for students attending Further Education, measures to reduce apprenticeship fees and increases to stipends/scholarships for PhD students.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the estimates process is ongoing and while I cannot at this point pre-empt the budgetary process I can confirm I will have regard to all of the options set out in the Options paper when deciding how best to prioritise proposals.