Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 October 2025
40. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering extending the Human Capital Initiative Programme; if not, if replacement programmes are being developed in lieu of an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55835/25]
View answerThe Human Capital Initiative (HCI) represents a ring-fenced €300 million investment from the National Training Fund into our higher education sector over the period 2020 to 2024. The initiative has been highly successful in increasing capacity in areas of key skills need and in enhancing innovation and agility within higher education institutions.
While the HCI programme has now concluded and is not being extended, the Department and the Higher Education Authority are working with the sector to ensure that key innovations developed under HCI Pillar 3 are embedded within participating institutions.
Although HCI has formally ended, HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy, introduced in February 2024, continues into the current academic year, learners can avail of the subsidy up until 31st October 2025. This provides a 50–80% fee reduction for almost 13,900 places across more than 650 micro-credential courses in areas such as Artificial Intelligence, Biopharma, Construction, Cyber Security, Engineering, ICT and Finance.
In addition, Springboard+ 2025, launched in May, is offering almost 8,000 places on 249 courses, including micro-credentials and full-time ICT skills conversion courses. In January, a call was issued to HEIs for proposals for courses to be included in the Springboard+ for the next three years, the call specified that courses subsidised under HCI Pillar 1 and micro-credential courses may be included in proposals.
Furthermore, the Enterprise Focused Higher Education (EFHE) measure provides recurrent funding to HEIs for programmes aligned with identified labour market needs, complementing the objectives of the HCI.
These measures will ensure that our higher education sector can continue to respond to skills needs and respond to emerging industry requirements in an innovative and agile manner.
