Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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980. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department intends to cap the welcome increase in funding of public private partnership costs from €39,000 (NTF) in 2024 to €70,000 (NTF) in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32593/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, the variance from 2024 to 2025 you have outlined has arisen under the 2025 Estimates process. As part of the annual Estimates process, each expenditure line within my Department is critically evaluated, in collaboration with key stakeholders and colleagues in the Department of Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to ensure appropriate and sufficient funding is allocated to meet requirements and commitments for the year ahead.

The 79% increase in capital funding for Public Private Partnership Costs (Subhead B12) from 2024 to 2025 is driven by the expected completion of the construction phase of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership (Bundle 1). Bundle 1 is focused on STEM, ICT, Engineering and Life Sciences facilities at 6 Technological Universities throughout Ireland. A significant commitment arises upon the completion of the construction phase of this project and the uplift in funding is allocated to meet these commitments.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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981. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department intends to cap the welcome increase in funding of €7,807 from 2024 €5,559 for miscellaneous grants and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32594/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Deputy, the variance from 2024 to 2025 you have outlined has arisen under the 2025 Estimates process. As part of the annual Estimates process, each expenditure line within my Department is critically evaluated, in collaboration with key stakeholders and colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, to ensure appropriate and sufficient funding is allocated to meet requirements and commitments for the year ahead.

Miscellaneous Grants & Services (Subhead B15) allows my Department provide funding towards grants and services which do not fall under the remit of the other subheads within my Vote to allow flexibility within the Vote to meet demand outside the scope of the other programmes.

Given the nature of this subhead, all allocations are carefully considered on an annual basis, as part of the Estimates process. Therefore, funding to this subhead may fluctuate based upon Budget negotiations and Government priorities in a particular year.