Mairéad Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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505. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the current core funding deficit for the university sector; the estimated first- and full-year cost of reducing this by a third; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27985/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Funding the Future funding and reform framework, published 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 secured an additional €65.2 million in core funding under Funding the Future, which combined with the €40.5 million secured in Budget 2023, brings the total additional core funding provided under Funding the Future to €105.7 million.

The additional €105.7 million provided over the last two Budgets in response to Funding the Future, is aligned with the intent of Funding the Future that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, to meet the overall €307m identified, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance.