EDUCATION FUNDING

The following is an email sent by HEA to All Education Providers. If you are affected by these change of dates and signed up for a 3/4 year Course and now have no FUNDING to continue please contact us:

Dear Colleagues,

In the circular issued by the HEA of 18^th May 2010, it is stated that the academic year 2011-12 is included in the implementation timeframe. This was based on a particular interpretation of the governing EU Regulation establishing the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund.

In the interim, however, and subsequent to the circular being issued the European Commission has clarified that this interpretation is not correct. The position therefore is that the Dell EGF will terminate on 28 June 2011, thereby excluding the 2011-12 academic year from the funding timeframe of the initiative.

The current 24 months EGF implementation timeframe remains an issue of concern for the Department of Education and Skills as the managing authority of the EGF in Ireland. The Irish authorities have drawn the attention of the European Commission to this issue and have sought a longer implementation timeframe. The authorities are continuing to highlight this issue in the context of the review of the EU Regulation commencing next year and any potential greater flexibility arising from same over time. However, at this time the official position remains as stated in the preceding paragraph.

Higher Education Authority
10 December 2010