Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 March 2025
411. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will take to address the funding crisis in higher education institutions to reduce the reliance on student contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14927/25]
View answerThe Funding the Future Framework published in May 2022, outlines the vision for how higher education will be funded and how this 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.
The enhanced higher education system performance to be delivered in return for increased investment under Funding the Future is to be aligned to strategic priorities defined in the framework, alongside parallel efforts to address the cost of education as a barrier to participation.
Over the three budgets since the publication of Funding the Future, an additional €164.4 million has been secured in exchequer and employer funding with a commitment to deliver a further €100 million by 2030 from the National Training Fund (NTF). The €164.4 million figure includes €58.7 million that was secured in Budget 2025 for Funding the Future.
It is anticipated that further additional exchequer funding will be secured in future estimates processes to deliver on Funding the Future commitments, including on priorities such as healthcare places and tertiary programmes. I also remain fully committed to easing the financial burden on students and families in a financially sustainable way.
