Written answers
Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Department of Education and Skills
Education Policy
Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
638. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills how he plans to close the funding gap in higher education; and how he envisions that investment in higher education will keep pace with the OECD average investment. [46262/23]
Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
Since the formation of my Department by this Government there has been a significant improvement in funding to the higher education sector.
The Funding the Future funding and reform framework, approved by Government in May 2022, settled the question on funding higher education. The Framework identified an amount of €307 million as representing the quantum of increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes. The Framework set out the policy intention to prioritise this additional investment over a number of budgets alongside increased supports for students.
Budget 2024 provides a significant increase in funding for higher education with some €195 million in additional funding to be allocated to the sector in 2023 and 2024. This funding will lead to increased staffing levels and enhanced support services for students. It will also expand the capabilities of our higher education institutions to deliver on priority skills needs and the further development of tertiary programmes.
It includes €60 million under Funding the Future which builds on the €40 million delivered in last year’s Budget and is aligned with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance. It brings the total additional core funding to the sector under Funding the Future to €100 million over two Budgets.?
I am committed to continuing the process of investing in our higher education system and to ensure it aligns comparably with EU and international funding levels.
Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
640. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the decision was made to stop Leaving Certificate programmes in VTOS centres throughout Ireland; the reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46296/23]
Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is an educational opportunities scheme that aims to provide second chance education to people who have been unemployed for at least six months. Operated through local Education and Training Boards (ETBs), VTOS provides learners opportunities to improve their general level of education, gain certification, develop their skills and prepare for employment, self-employment and/or further education and training. VTOS is offered in two forms: VTOS core (offered in a VTOS centre or Adult Education Centre) and dispersed VTOS (where participants may be in a group of VTOS students and students on other courses / programmes).
The content of VTOS programmes is a matter for the individual ETBs.While some VTOS centres continue to offer Leaving Certificate programmes others have moved to delivering QQI Certification for transfer and progression opportunities.
The Further Education and Training Strategy Future FET:Transforming Learningproposes a new Level 5 and Level 6 provision that will have a core brand, focused on the discipline/the career and NFQ level, and be linked to regional skills needs and clear employment or progression outcomes. This will support the wider agenda for integration and consolidation of provision across FET.
No comments