Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
892. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for detailed information regarding the decrease in total grants paid to the National College of Ireland from the estimated €2,886,000 in 2022 to the estimated €2,728,000 in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36013/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services 2025 and the allocations under my Department’s B4 subhead.
The B4 subhead is used to fund current activities in higher education institutions. The provision of higher education funding on an annual basis, is part of overall expenditure management and budgetary policy of the Government.
In considering the specific matters raised, it is important to distinguish between recurrent funding allocations and the impact of supplementary or temporary provisions. Each year, my Department receives a core recurrent allocation that is considered as part of the annual Budget negotiations.
The variances between 2022 and 2023 were due to a number of factors. Temporary Covid related increases for Springboard that applied in the 2020-2022 period, did not carry through into 2023, resulting in a reduction of €413,000 in 2023. Erasmus funding also reduced by €81,000 over the same period. Other initiatives saw an increase in their funding in 2023 with the Human Capital Initiative, Apprenticeships and Access funding increasing by €101,000, €62,000 and €183,000 respectively in 2023 when compared to 2022.
