518. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will give detailed consideration to the requests outlined by a national organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67963/26]

As I look ahead to Budget 2027 it is a priority for me to continue to invest in the development of the further and higher education system, in line with the Programme for Government through a range of core and targeted funding mechanisms.

I have met with the organisation to which the Deputy refers in June to discuss their pre-budget submission and my officials continue to engage with them on key issues that emerge. Stakeholder engagement is an important element in identifying priority funding options ahead of the annual budget.

It is important to say that there has been a significant improvement in the funding to the higher education sector since the establishment of my Department, with recurrent funding to the higher education system increasing by nearly three quarters of a billion euro in that time. This includes €174 million additional annually towards the €307 million funding enhancement identified by Government under Funding the Future.

As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions on budget allocations will be made in the context of Government decision-making on the fiscal and expenditure framework for 2027. This is consistent with the budgetary and Estimates process to be agreed by Government in the coming weeks.

While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, what I can assure the Deputy is that I will continue to argue for further enhancements to the sustainable funding of higher education in the forthcoming Estimates process.