Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
969. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will be capping the current grants to Solas for further education and training, to the welcome increase from €537,474 to €589, 221 in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32539/25]
View answerMy Department allocates funding to SOLAS from both the Exchequer and the National Training Fund to support the delivery of Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services by the 16 Education and Training Boards and other FET providers across the country.
My Department’s investment in core funding for FET services has increased by approximately 9% in the period 2023 to 2025. These increases include provision for the public sector pay deals.
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 2026, consistent with the budgetary and Estimates process to be agreed by Government in the coming weeks.
