Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
561. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will double the funding for access to e-books through transformative agreements and increase funding for open education resources to alleviate the financial strain from e-book licensing on students and libraries as requested by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is aware of issues regarding ebook licencing and is engaging with the higher education sector and the Department of Rural and Community Development who have responsibility for public libraries. Those discussions are at an early stage.
In terms of supports for students, I am conscious of the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to attending higher education. I have recently published an options paper (www.gov.ie/en/publication/db3c6-funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2024/ ) which sets out various possible measures to reduce the cost of attending higher education. I will have regard to these options when making proposals regarding student supports in the context of budget discussions.
As the Deputy will appreciate, at this time it is not possible to provide an indication of any measures that may be introduced in Budget 2025 or to anticipate the outcome of the wider consultation process on ebook licencing.
