Ireland had an ‘emergency’ budget re-allocation today. In addition to the general measures, which can be seen here [Supplementary Budget Changes], there were additional changes to the University Sector. I have copied these sections from the document [Minister O'Keeffe outlines key Budget measures in Education as part of efforts to cut public spending] which is attached to the announcement on the Dept. of Education and Science Website [Word Document]:
Higher education (minus €16m)
A reduction of €15.5m combined with earlier budgetary adjustments means that the Higher Education Authority’s budget will be €1.319bn. The colleges will have to operate within tighter budgets and effect economies. These reductions should be seen in the context of recent overall increases in investment in higher education. That’s risen by more than 33pc since 2004. There is also a reduction of €0.5m in respect of certain other third-level colleges.Research (minus €2m)
The revised provision for research of €86.6m indicates an increase of some 14pc on expenditure last year. However, last year brought a lower level of projects and activity and the provision for this year may curtail progress on some projects and reduce awards to be made by the research councils.
Strategic Innovation Fund (minus €2m)
The revised provision of €26m is an increase on last year’s expenditure. This reflects the lower level of activity on projects during last year which had not fully ramped up and this year’s provision will involve the scaling back of some SIF projects and a possible delay in new projects.[...]
Higher education [minus €24m]
Capital available for investment in the higher education sector this year amounts to €200m. This is net of €4m which has been transferred to support current expenditure on the labour market activation fund. Since there is now much better value in the construction market, in real terms this investment delivers significantly greater buying power. The allocation for last year was €184.056m.
This is balanced by an increase in the allocation of places for training:
Extra places in further education (€4m) and higher education
An additional 6,910 places will be created for unemployed people in the further and higher education sectors. This requires a transfer of €4m capital to further education. The places being provided are 1500 in PLC courses; 3,500 full and part time third level places; 930 on third level transition courses; 280 on accelerated certificate programmes; and 700 in a new education programme for redundant apprentices. This initiative is part of a joint approach with the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Social and Family Affairs on labour market activation. The overall cost to the Education budget in 2009 is nearly €19 million most of which is being met from within the overall third level provision and by transfer.
The full text can be found in the link above.
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