Welcome to the July edition of the Irish Universities Association Bulletin! In this issue, we highlight the IUA’s Pre-Budget 2026 Submission – Universities Supporting National Priorities setting out our key priorities for Government. We also hear from Dr Lisa Keating, Acting Director General of the IUA, who outlines the urgent need for strategic investment in Ireland’s research infrastructure, a call that is reinforced by the emphasis placed on research and innovation in this week’s NDP Review.
IUA Pre-Budget 2026 Submission – Universities Supporting National Priorities
Ireland’s universities are central to delivering the ambitions of the Programme for Government — from supporting a strong, innovative economy to expanding opportunity through education. But long-standing deficits in core funding continue to undermine their potential, including the persistent underfunding of nationally agreed pay awards. Budget 2026 must take the next decisive step in addressing these structural gaps, safeguarding the future of the higher education sector and strengthening Ireland’s long-term economic and societal progress.
With the right investment, our universities, and the students, communities and industries they support, can thrive and drive Ireland’s future success. That’s why the IUA is calling for a comprehensive investment package of €378 million in Budget 2026.
IUA Insights – Why Ireland’s Future Needs Investment in Research Infrastructure
With the NDP Review published this week, Dr Lisa Keating explores why it’s right for Ireland to act now and invest strategically in the research infrastructure that underpins Ireland’s innovation and competitiveness.
In case you missed it…
Changes to CAO entry to undergraduate medicine programmes in 2027.
Irish Universities with Medical Schools are modifying the calculation of points applied for admission through the Central Applications office (CAO) to all Undergraduate (Direct Entry from School) Medicine programmes in Ireland. From August/September 2027, the HPAT score will carry a maximum weighting of 150 points, down from the current 300, and Leaving Certificate scores above 550 points will no longer be moderated.
On Friday, July 18th, Lewis Purser, Director of Learning and Teaching and Academic Affairs in the IUA, spoke to Rachael English on RTE Radio 1 about the changes. Click here and listen back at 26:05: https://www.rte.ie/radio/radio1/news-at-one/2025/0718/1524197-news-at-one-friday-18-july-2025/