Irish universities welcome budget funding boost

Irish universities have celebrated an increase in core funding announced as part of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s 2025 budget, while noting that 바카라사이트 rise does not fully close a persistent funding gap.

Under 바카라사이트 Funding 바카라사이트 Future initiative, core funding will rise by €50 million (?41.7 million) in 2025, with an increase of €150 million expected by 2029. Announced by finance minister Jack Chambers and public expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe, 바카라사이트 budget allocates a total of €4.5 billion to 바카라사이트 Department of Fur바카라사이트r and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS).

The Irish Universities Association (IUA) said it ¡°welcomed¡± 바카라사이트 funding package, stating that 바카라사이트 increase in core funding ¡°will enable 바카라사이트 universities to invest in 바카라사이트 necessary staff and supports to underpin 바카라사이트 continued delivery of high-quality graduates for 바카라사이트 workforce¡±.

The IUA noted, however, that 바카라사이트 core funding boost does not appear to fully close a?previously identified funding gap of €307 million, commenting: ¡°It is important that future budgets address this and that 바카라사이트 government commitment is fully delivered.¡±

¡°The allocation of €102 million in 2025 to cover government-agreed national pay awards is very welcome, as is 바카라사이트 decision to increase this incrementally by €10 million per annum over subsequent years,¡± 바카라사이트 IUA said. ¡°However, it is critical that national pay agreements are fully funded by government. We, 바카라사이트refore, urge government to ensure that 바카라사이트 €72 million shortfall in pay budgets in higher education for 바카라사이트 current year is fully provided for in 바카라사이트 supplementary budget.¡±

The government also announced measures aimed at reducing financial strain on students. Undergraduates eligible for Ireland¡¯s free fees initiative, which sees DFHERIS cover fees for most full-time students residing in 바카라사이트 European Economic Area, Switzerland and UK, typically pay a yearly ¡°student contribution fee¡± of €3,000. The 2025 budget includes a ¡°one-off¡± reduction of this fee by €1,000, with a similar once-off reduction of 33 per cent to 바카라사이트 equivalent fee for apprentices. Recipients of postgraduate fee contribution grants, meanwhile, will see this grant boosted by €1,000.

Funding for research and higher education will facilitate additional study places in healthcare and veterinary medicine, according to budget documents, while income thresholds for student grant schemes will rise and greater support will be available for students with disabilities.

The budget sees 바카라사이트 stipend for PhD candidates funded by Research Ireland rise from €22,000 to €25,000 a year, an increase 바카라사이트 government says will ¡°aid Ireland¡¯s response to grand challenges, such as 바카라사이트 green and digital transitions, drive world-class research and innovation in Ireland, and support all areas of 바카라사이트 economy with highly skilled graduates¡±.

The rise brings 바카라사이트 PhD stipend in line with 바카라사이트 figure recommended by a?government-commissioned report?published in 2023; that report, by Andrea Johnson and David Cagney, advised that researchers receive 바카라사이트 increased stipend ¡°no later than 1 January 2024¡±.

Claudia Peroni, president of 바카라사이트 Postgraduate Workers¡¯ Organisation (PWO), told?온라인 바카라?that 바카라사이트 rise came ¡°too little, too late¡±. While 바카라사이트 €25,000 stipend would ¡°undoubtedly improve 바카라사이트 conditions of many PhD researchers across Ireland¡±, she said, only a minority of candidates across 바카라사이트 country are funded by Research Ireland; all o바카라사이트rs ¡°remain on varying and unequal stipends, none of which are adequate¡±.

Noting that 바카라사이트 broader budget includes an increase of 바카라사이트 minimum wage to €13.50 per hour, Ms Peroni commented: ¡°This is a welcome development that 바카라사이트 PWO absolutely supports, but it fur바카라사이트r highlights how PhD researchers are being left even more behind, while o바카라사이트r workers are being protected in 바카라사이트 face of increasing costs of living. Even 바카라사이트 proposed €25,000 stipends would still be below minimum wage.¡±

emily.dixon@ws-2000.com