James Geoghegan (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
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38. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he can confirm that higher level education funding can continue to be increased while fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to continue to reduce the student contribution fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14530/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Funding the Future framework, published in May 2022, outlines the Government’s vision for how higher education will be funded and how it will support students, employers and wider society. 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.

In the three budgets since the publication of the Funding the Future framework, an additional €164.4m has been secured in core funding for the higher education sector, with a commitment to provide a further €100m in core funding from the National Training Fund surplus by 2029. It is anticipated that further additional exchequer funding will be secured in future estimates processes to deliver on commitments, including on priorities such as healthcare places and tertiary programmes.

The Deputy will be aware of the Programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner. As part of the cost-of-living packages in the last three budgets, the student contribution was reduced by €1,000, at a net cost of circa €99m per annum.

My Department is planning to hold the annual cost of education event next month which will be attended by a wide stakeholder group. After the event, I intend to publish an annual options paper which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options, aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This will inform decisions ahead of Budget 2026.

I remain committed to easing the financial burden on students and families in a financially sustainable way.