The Director General of the Irish Universities Association has told the Oireachtas Committee for Budgetary Oversight that the funding problem facing third level institutions will get “considerably worse” unless there is a significant step-up in investment to support our growing student base.
Jim Miley, in opening remarks to the Budgetary Oversight Committee said: “In spite of modest funding increases in the last two budgets, the State funding per student remains 43% below where it was 10 years ago. The recent increases have been largely mopped up by rising student numbers. Given demographics, numbers attending third level will continue to increase over the next decade with 40,000 extra students to be catered for by 2030 as compared with 2015.
“There is now unanimous support for a comprehensive programme of investment amongst employer leaders, unions and students with IBEC, ICTU, USI AND Chambers of Commerce, all advocating significantly increased State investment.”
The IUA presented its pre-budget submission to the Oversight Committee today. In making the case for investment in core and capital funding and in research and innovation, the IUA points to the €9 billion that the universities contribute to the Irish economy each year. The universities are seeking an investment package totalling €377m in Budget 2020 to cover critical core funding requirements, research and urgent capital investment needs.
Jim Miley said: “The requirement for significantly increased investment is now urgent. As a society, we cannot stand over any deterioration in our third level system. It would erode our competitiveness at a time when we need to invest in our future talent to compete globally. Politicians of all hues must take responsibility for addressing this imperative.”
Ends.
For more information contact:
Lia O’Sullivan, Head of Communications IUA, 085 7141414 lia.osullivan@iua.ie
Notes for Editors:
The Irish Universities Association is the representative body of Dublin City University, Maynooth University, NUI Galway, Trinity College Dublin, University College Cork, University College Dublin, University of Limerick.
Downloads:
IUA opening statement for the Oireachtas Committee for Budgetary Oversight