The 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.
Over a number of years, additional core funding is being prioritised through the Estimates process to deliver on the increased level of funding identified in the framework and to improve system capacity to respond to national priorities.
Since the publication of Funding the Future, an additional €174 million in Exchequer and employer funding has been secured, alongside a commitment to provide a further €100 million from the National Training Fund (NTF) by 2030. This aligns with the Programme for Government commitment to “Close the core funding gap by unlocking the National Training Fund”.
It is anticipated that further Exchequer funding will be secured through future Estimates processes to support the delivery of these commitments and to address key priorities, including the expansion of healthcare places and the development of tertiary programmes.
