Leaders of Six Irish Universities Appeal for Increased Government Funding

The chairs of six Irish universities issued a joint appeal calling for increased government funding for the higher education sector. The appeal stated that the sector faces an annual shortfall exceeding €250 million despite recent increases in state support. The signatories, which included University College Dublin and Dublin City University, backed the call to increase annual core funding by €190 million in Budget 2027 and again the following year.

The appeal noted that the original funding gap identified in 2022 was €307 million annually. The current request for 2027 stands at €190.2 million, which covers existing shortfalls and expected increases in pay and student numbers. The appeal stressed that the universities are central to Ireland’s economic success and democratic resilience.