Written Answers Nos. 251-265
251. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons who did not take up their CEO offer of a university course in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67804/25]
View answerThe Central Applications Office (CAO) is an independent private body, and as such, it is not within the remit of the department or the Minister.
The CAO publishes data on the number of applicants and acceptance of CAO offers on their website as a part of their annual media pack. The table below contains data on the acceptance of offers between 2015 and 2024.
For 2025, the CAO has advised that there were 89,308 applicants as of 1 July 2025. There were 54,032 net acceptances by the end of CAO Round 5, of which 47,634 were at Level 8 and 6,398 were at Level 6/7. 2025 figures may change slightly as the final audit processes are not yet completed.
252. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on plans to expand further education and training provision in Macroom, particularly in light of the town’s growth following the bypass; if his Department will prioritise new courses and facilities to support local employment and enterprise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67267/25]
View answerMy Department remains committed to supporting high-quality further education and training (FET) provision across the country including Macroom to meet the needs of learners, local enterprise, and the wider community.
Cork ETB has advised my officials that it currently delivers FET courses through three centres in Macroom: full-time Level 5 PLC provision at Macroom E-Park, adult and community education including literacy and ESOL at the Sullane FET Centre, as well as Youthreach provision.
It further advised my officials that planning for 2026 course delivery is ongoing across all Cork ETB regions. Cork ETB plans its annual FET delivery under an area-based approach. This process takes account of local requirements and emerging needs through engagement with a wide range of stakeholder groups, community and employer groups, as well as various agencies including the Department of Social Protection. The FET delivery plan is finalised upon confirmation of the annual budget allocations for 2026.
I can assure the Deputy that it is a primary objective for Cork ETB, SOLAS and my Department is to ensure a suitable learning environment for learners that meets environmental standards, fosters an effective learning experience and serves all communities. As way of update, Cork ETB is continuing its efforts to source a permanent location for the Macroom Youthreach Centre; several options are being actively pursued. Cork ETB will bring forward a detailed proposal to SOLAS as soon as possible.
However, until a long-term option is secured, a temporary location to relocate the Youthreach centre has been identified. Due diligence is ongoing to finalise proposed lease arrangements. Cork ETB must then apply to the Department for ministerial sanction in line with section 53 of the Education and Training Board Act, 2013.
My Department, together with SOLAS and Cork ETB, will continue to work closely to ensure that FET provision in Macroom supports learners, local employment, and enterprise.
253. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department will play to ensure that there are enough construction workers with the necessary skills to balance the competing priorities of building the Metrolink without placing housing targets at risk, which will require the construction of houses as well the building out the electricity grid and wastewater infrastructure; if he has met with the Ministers of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage or Transport to discuss this; if he has met with the Taoiseach to discuss this; the plans and/or targets that have been agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67796/25]
View answerMy Department published An Update to the Report on the Analysis of Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofittingin October 2024. Recognising the report focused on residential housing, and relied on workforce data from 2022, a new report has been commissioned. This new report will analyse workforce supply and demand across the construction sector – including infrastructural priorities – and is expected to go to Cabinet in January and published thereafter.
The ongoing work of my Department in developing a sustainable construction skills pipeline can be broken down into three distinct strands. The first strand is our investment in the apprenticeship system.
Budget 2026 provided a significant €79 million additional investment in apprenticeships. Since 2020, we have more than doubled the investment in apprenticeships.
The total number of apprentices in construction and related fields has grown by 50% between 2020 and 2024, from 14,567 to 21,895, while construction and related registrations across the same fields rose by 66%, from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,319 in 2024. In addition, registrations in craft apprenticeships rose by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 to 7,113 in 2024.
This underpins the value of this training route at a time of near-full employment and high demand for construction skills.
There are now 31 construction or construction-related apprenticeship programmes, approximately 40% of all apprenticeships, with more in the pipeline.
Next year will see the launch of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030. A key commitment in the Programme for Government, it will have a headline target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations per year by 2030 and two-thirds of these will be in craft and construction-related programmes. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are to begin shortly.
The second strand focuses on advancing the use of modern methods of construction (MMC).
There is a clear productivity dividend from the increased application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). Research published in 2024 estimates that 24% fewer workers would be needed to build new homes with an increased use of MMC.
We are implementing a comprehensive, cross-sector Action Plan – published in June - to support the greater adoption of MMC. This MMC Action Plan was developed in consultation with key partners and supports the transition to MMC across the construction supply chain.
We are also working closely with sectoral partners to increase MMC skills supply across the tertiary system. The National Construction Training Campus launched a suite of MMC micro-credentials through its MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio in February 2025. Additional MMC courses are in development, including an MMC traineeship.
We have also developed a digital ‘one stop shop’ for all things MMC. The Skillnet MMC Accelerate national platform launched in May 2025 and highlights MMC projects, provides career pathways and education and upskilling provision.
An accessible flagship location for MMC demonstration and specialist training is also in development. The National Demonstration Park for MMC, being built at the National Construction Training Campus, will have its first units onsite in Q1 2026.
The third strand relates to the promotion of careers in construction and minimising barriers to entry.
Research undertaken by my Department found a lack of knowledge and understanding about the construction industry and the roles available, a poor perception of the working environment as well as a perception that construction is not suitable for women.
In response, we are implementing the cross-sector Careers in Construction Action Plan. The Plan aims to minimise barriers, promote career opportunities, and make construction jobs more attractive to women. The Careers in Construction Action Plan is being updated in collaboration with key industry and education partners, with the revised plan set to be published in the new year.
We are reaching out to our young people to show them the exciting reality of a career in this dynamic and diverse sector. Promotional activity has included the Building Heroes social media campaign, a documentary on careers in construction for second-level schools, and the Build Back Home campaign aimed at skilled Irish construction workers living abroad. Promotional activity will continue into 2026 and beyond.
Recruitment and training are also being supported across the construction sector through the Future Building initiative. Intreo, SOLAS and Education and Training Boards of Ireland have formed a dedicated cross-functional team to drive progress in recruitment for training courses, apprenticeships and jobs.
Together, these three strands reflect a broad range of approaches and initiatives aimed at expanding the skilled workforce, complimenting the vital role to be played by employers themselves in recruiting, retaining and upskilling their workforce.
255. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the impact of increasing number of international students on the availability of places for Irish students, given that universities are under pressure to accept higher-paying non-EU students to offset chronic underfunding; the steps that will be taken to ensure Irish students are not disadvantaged in admissions while maintaining Ireland’s reputation as an international education hub. [67839/25]
View answerThe Deputy may wish to note that the Funding the Future policy published in May 2022, detailed how higher education in Ireland would be funded to meet societal objectives for a high-quality, well-funded higher education system supporting students, meeting workforce needs and delivering the very broad range of benefits to wider society that has helped underpin Ireland's economic and social transformation.
Funding the Future identified €307 million as the increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes.
Subsequently, substantial additional core funding has been prioritised through the Estimates process in order to deliver on the increased level of funding identified in this framework and to improve the higher education system's capacity to respond to national priorities.
Since the publication of Funding the Future, an additional €174 million has been secured in Exchequer and employer funding with a commitment to deliver a further €100 million per annum by 2030 as part of further increased investment from the National Training Fund. It is intended that the remaining funding increase will be met by Exchequer funding in future budgets.
On the basis of this investment, this year more Irish and EU students than ever before took up an offer through the CAO and started on their higher education journey. This growth is facilitated by this increased investment and targeted investment to create additional places in key healthcare courses in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and many other health and social care professions, allowing more students than ever before to pursue these programmes. .
Finally, non-EU students make up, in fact, a relatively small proportion of our higher education system overall - 11.8% of all enrolments and only 7.3% of undergraduate enrolments. In addition, international higher education students make a significant contribution to Ireland’s higher education institutions (HEIs), and to society generally, both economically and in terms of the cultural diversity they bring to our campuses.
256. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which her Department is strengthening the commercialisation of publicly funded research to ensure more innovations and jobs are retained in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67807/25]
View answerMy Department is strengthening the commercialisation of publicly funded research by prioritising the research and innovation agenda as a key economic and social enabler for Ireland, recognising its importance to national competitiveness, resilience and productivity.
The recently published Action Plan for Competitiveness and Productivity clearly recognises the centrality of research and innovation to Ireland's future economic performance. My department and Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland will work with the HEA, the higher education institutions, and with Enterprise Ireland to ensure that the creation and delivery of commercialisation opportunities by researchers is valued, incentivised in terms of academic progression, and that the route to commercialisation is as fully enabled as possible.
My department is also developing a High-Performance Computing Strategy on a cross-Government basis, encompassing Quantum, High Performance Computing, AI and data infrastructures to enhance Ireland’s competitiveness in deep tech, strengthen Ireland’s public research system, enable greater participation in EU initiatives and support innovative start-ups.
Three new Research Ireland ARC Hubs – the ARC Hub for Therapeutics (led by TCD), the ARC Hub for ICT (led by TUD) and the ARC Hub for HealthTech (led by University of Galway), are supported by €98m co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union under two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Programmes - the Southern, Eastern and Midland Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the Northern and Western Regional Programme 2021-2027. The ARC Hubs drive regional development by accelerating novel, cutting-edge research, towards commercial impact readiness, in areas aligned with Ireland’s Smart Specialisation Strategy for Innovation 2022-2027 (S3) and respective regional strategic priorities.
Research Ireland Centres play a key role in building and maintaining a pipeline of highly skilled and talented individuals who will support local enterprise, continue to attract multinational companies, and drive innovation across all sectors in Ireland.
The Research Ireland Centres for Research Training (CRTs) are cohort-based PhD programmes that nurture and develop highest-level skills, with six CRTs across the country in the areas of AI, data science, genomics, machine learning, digitally enhanced reality and advanced networks for sustainable societies, to meet the need for a pipeline of highly trained, well-networked research talent in areas of strategic priority for Ireland.
257. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he has met with UCC and MTU and discussed the need for a northside university campus in Cork city. [67566/25]
View answerI can confirm that I have not met with UCC or MTU to discuss the need for a northside university campus in Cork City, nor have I been made aware of any plans to develop such a campus.
My officials and I are working closely with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to realise our collective ambition for the delivery of Higher Education across the country. Capital projects across the Higher Education sector are identified through competitive programmes and processes, with successful projects progressing through the various stages of architectural planning, tender and construction in line with the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly Public Spending Code).
Higher education capital funding and related projects are primarily organised on the basis of funding programmes, which have tailored parameters depending on the objectives that they seek to achieve.
No proposal has been received for the delivery of a university campus on the northside of Cork city.
258. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to support digital literacy and improve access to online services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64109/25]
View answerMy Department is taking a coordinated and targeted approach to supporting digital literacy and improving access to online services for older people, primarily through the implementation of the Government’s Adult Literacy for Life Strategy.
This ten-year Strategy recognises that digital capability is essential for full participation in society. A strong programme of supports is being delivered across Further Education and Training and community-based provision. A target of reducing the share of adults without basic digital skills from 47% to 20% by 2030 has been set.
Through the Collaboration and Innovation and REACH Funds, a strong suite of initiatives is underway to support older people - including tailored digital skills courses, one-to-one help hubs in libraries and community-based peer mentoring. These programmes are designed to build confidence, functional skills and the ability to use digital tools for everyday tasks such as communicating, accessing information and navigating online services.
In 2025, SOLAS allocated over €176,000 to Age Action to deliver two programmes - the University of the Third Age and Digital Literacy Programme and the Getting Started Digital Skills Programme – both aimed at enhancing digital skills among older people.
In addition, SOLAS is supporting Generation Ireland to pilot digital upskilling programmes for mid-career and workers aged 55 and over. In 2025, €0.5 million was allocated via SOLAS with €0.4 million identified for 2026.
I want to assure the Deputy that I remain committed to ensuring that older people can access the skills, technology and support needed to engage confidently with online services to ensure no one in society is excluded.
259. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on the retrofitting of the FET sector; to provide the breakdown of the €8 million allocation that was recently announced that has been awarded; the amount that has been drawn down; the number of projects this will fund; the average value of each award; the targets including the number of retrofits completed overall and the targeted number for retrofits to a B2 standard or higher, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67795/25]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2025 includes an action to progress the implementation and governance of the public sector building stock decarbonisation roadmap, to guide progress towards the 2030 targets.
Decarbonisation is a fundamental objective in all public sector capital investment programmes overseen by my Department. All capital expenditure proposals take climate impact into account prior to progression.
As the deputy is aware, my Department supports the Further Education and Training (FET) sector with a Green Devolved Capital Grant, via SOLAS, with an annual fund of c. €8m for three years, to directly invest in works to support energy efficiency and emissions reduction initiatives for their buildings.
This funding will enable Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to continue to implement energy and emissions reduction measures, reduce their carbon footprint and comply with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. It will facilitate ETBs to develop small scale but high impact measures, such as energy audits and controls, energy upgrades and decarbonisation measures. Initiatives that will be considered include low-energy lighting, insulation upgrades, replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with renewable heating technology.
In additional to the financial, compliance, usage and reporting requirements for the grant, ETBs will be required to report on energy usage and carbon reduction for measures funded. This approach will enhance the evidence base, leading to a refined selection of cost-effective high impact measures that can be shared as best practice across the sector. The first mid-term report from SOLAS and the ETB sector on the Green Devolved Capital Grant is due Q3 2026.
Please see attached the breakdown of Green Devolved Funding made available to the ETB sector in 2025.
260. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Development of the Swords FET College fit into his Department’s wider strategy for the FET College of the Future initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67801/25]
View answerDublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB are currently being supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) for a state-of-the-art further education campus in Swords under my department’s FET College Major Capital Programme. As part of the PBC stage, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB will need to further develop their proposal and demonstrate how it aligns with relevant regional and national policies and strategies. Once complete, the ETB can submit their proposal to SOLAS for evaluation. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The site preference for this new college is Swords due to its population base and future growth projections. Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB have identified a preferred site option and I have approved for the relevant legal and site due diligence requirements to be progressed, this work remains ongoing.
261. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria that will be used to prioritise institutions for capital investment under the national training fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67835/25]
View answerMy Department has secured €650m NTF funding package for the tertiary sector over the period 2025 to 2030. In line with the purposes of the National Training Funding this capital funding will be used in programmes/initiatives that raise the skills of those in employment, or to provide training to those who wish to acquire skills for the purposes of taking up employment, or to provide information in relation to existing, or likely future, requirements for skills in the economy.
Plans are in place to target the strengthening of training capacity in key skills areas such as healthcare, veterinary skills, apprenticeships and further education. NTF capital will also enhance research capacity through an increase in PhD stipends, ensuring Ireland remains competitive in attracting and developing research talent. It will also enable a major new specialist equipment programme for the further education and training (FET) sector. This initiative will deliver investment in innovative kit, equipment, and technology to align with current and emerging skills needs, and will strengthen specialist skills provision in six priority areas, construction, manufacturing, technology, healthcare, hospitality and the experience economy, and the green transition.
My Department will allocate NTF funding to institutions in line with the objectives of the fund, and through capital programmes/initiatives. Accordingly, the criteria used to assess and approve investment proposals will be aligned with these objectives and national skills priorities. In assessing proposals, my Department will prioritise initiatives/programmes that enable:
• Upskilling reskilling and enhancing areas experiencing skills shortages;
• Enhanced productivity and adaptability within the workforce to support economic growth and competitiveness;
• Promotion of continuous professional development and lifelong learning to ensure workers remain relevant in rapidly changing sectors.
262. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to expand apprenticeship opportunities in Cork, particularly in towns such as Mallow, Millstreet, Kanturk, and Macroom to address regional skills shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67266/25]
View answerGovernment has prioritised the expansion of apprenticeship in recent years, with investments of €67 million, €77 million and €79 million over Budgets 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively. This amounts to more than doubling the annual allocation since 2020.
This investment has supported the growth of the apprenticeship system. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations have risen by 63% from 4,377 in 2020, the year in which my department was formed, to 7,113 in 2024. Consortia-led registrations have increased by 147% from 906 in 2019 to 2,239 in 2024.
Apprenticeship training providers in Cork are Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) and Munster Technological University (MTU). These institutions offer programmes in the following sectors: construction, motor, finance, logistics, beauty and ICT.
In addition, County Cork is serviced by the South West Regional Skills Forum, which provides information and assists companies to navigate the skills and apprenticeship system.
263. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the necessary funding will be provided to the dental school in UCC, which has submitted a proposal to the Department for the expansion of their training programme, which would involve the development of a new hub in which additional students could be trained and practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67262/25]
View answerThe Government is firmly committed to ensuring a sustainable pipeline of highly skilled dental professionals to meet the growing oral healthcare needs of our population. My Department, working closely with the Department of Health, the Higher Education Authority (HEA), and higher education institutions, plays a central role in planning and delivering the education and training infrastructure required for this purpose.
Until recently, approximately 60 places per year were available for Irish and EU students in dentistry programmes. Recognising that this represents a limited training pipeline, we have taken steps to expand capacity. A new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will commence in 2025, adding at least 20 new places annually for Irish/EEA students. This represents a 33% increase in national capacity, with further growth planned in subsequent years.
In relation to University College Cork (UCC), I am aware that the institution has submitted a proposal for a dental outreach centre, seeking €4.7 million in capital funding. This initiative would enable training of an additional 10 undergraduate dental students annually and aligns with the Smile agus Sláinte oral health policy by adopting a community-based model of dental education. UCC is also investing €15 million in refurbishing its Dental School and Hospital, co-funded by the Department of Health and UCC.
Discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Department of Health to progress this proposal and to ensure that any investment maximises Irish and EU student places, delivers value for money, and supports the long-term sustainability of the dental workforce.
Expanding dental education capacity remains a strategic priority for this Government. We will continue to work collaboratively with all stakeholders to ensure that future developments are evidence-based, meet national needs, and contribute to a modern and accessible oral healthcare system.
264. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in the light of decreases in funding for academic institutions in the United States, his Department has considered an initiative which can attract talent to Ireland’s universities through means such as creating new courses and projects. [67306/25]
View answerThe Government recognises the need to strengthen our research capabilities and expand the scope of R&D to better support our enterprise sector. Attracting world-class international researchers to Ireland is a key part of this effort.
In May 2025, the Government approved the Global Talent Ireland initiative to attract international research talent. The initiative seeks to complement Government’s commitments under Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy, which emphasises the importance of people and talent in the research ecosystem.
Research Ireland subsequently launched the Global Talent Ireland initiative in July 2025. Irish Universities submitted Expressions of Interest in August and shortlisted applicants have been invited to submit full proposals by 4 December 2025. An initial €8 million annual budget will fund research grants, start-up costs, and infrastructure.
There has been strong interest from a wide range of disciplines, countries, and Irish higher education institutions. The applications represent a variety of disciplines, including health and life science, climate and energy, social sciences, ICT, Physics, Chemistry, Materials, Maths, Space and Arts and Humanities. It is anticipated that 15 researchers, a mix of established and rising stars, will be offered roles through this process. The programme will provide the resources needed to establish or relocate world-class research teams in Ireland, enabling them to carry out globally competitive research.
This programme will reinforce Ireland’s role as a leading European hub for research excellence, innovation, and opportunity is a demonstration of our commitment to building a knowledge-driven economy.
265. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is supporting Ireland’s digital transformation through research, innovation and tertiary-education initiatives. [67832/25]
View answerAddressing digital transformation is a key element of the Programme for Government and a significant element of my Department's mandate and responsibilities. This role will be reflected strongly in the forthcoming cross-Government National Digital and AI Strategy (NDAIS) as well as in the Tertiary Strategy which I expect will be published early next year.
In order to support the development of the Tertiary Strategy and the NDAIS, my Department will develop a Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future to ensure our skills ecosystem is future focused. It will cover the full range of digital skills, from basic digital literacy to specialist technology skills.
To ensure that we can deliver those skills in a way that is effective, timely, and inclusive requires strong guidance and resourcing.
That is why I asked our National Skills Council to examine this issue and explore how we can ensure that we meet the skills needs of all cohorts in terms of AI adoption, and how we can best cohere what is already available in this space.
The Council proposes a one-stop AI Skilling Platform – a transformative initiative designed to equip Ireland’s workforce with the skills they need to thrive in our AI driven economy.
My ambition for this platform is that every citizen that wishes to access AI skilling to suit their needs and their situation – personal or professional – will find the appropriate content on this new platform.
Research Ireland is providing funding for key areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. It plays a pivotal role in driving technological progress by providing talent, skills, and career pathways for high-potential sectors engaging with digital technology.
My Department is also investing in advanced digital infrastructure to support Ireland’s digital transformation, co-funding the procurement of Ireland’s next national high-performance supercomputer and the new AI Factory Antenna, strengthening Ireland’s position as a global leader in digital technologies.
These actions highlight the central role played by my Department through it works with the research, innovation and skills system in enabling Ireland's digital transformation which is critical to national economic and social progress.
