Jen Cummins
Question:1169. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to expand mental health supports in the further education and training sector. [71832/25]
View answerMental Health Services
Questions (1169, 1170)
Jen Cummins
Question:1170. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the mental health supports in the further education and training sector available to students. [71833/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1169 and 1170 together.
I welcome the Deputy’s concern for the mental health and well-being of students in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector.
The “Framework for Further Education and Training: Mental Health and Wellbeing” is a key resource for mental health currently in use by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) for the FET sector. Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) developed the Framework in 2023. Its purpose is to provide clear guidance on how ETBs can support learners’ overall well-being and respond to mental health and wellbeing critical incidents in a consistent, planned, and structured manner.
Building on this Framework, ETBI also offers the FET Learner Mental Health & Wellbeing Accreditation Programme. This recognises the work of staff and learners and celebrates initiatives that promote positive mental health and wellbeing within FET. It aims to promote good practice. ETBI launched the fourth iteration, for the 2025/2026 academic year, on World Mental Health Day on 10th October.
Several ETBs have implemented additional supports. For example, City of Dublin ETB and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB provide psychological services for FET learners. Whilst Cavan and Monaghan ETB has established a Learner Support Working Group and appointed a Wellbeing Champion. In addition, many Youthreach centres offer needs-based counselling service.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) also plays a vital role by providing funding to ETBs to deliver supports that enable students to participate on an equal basis to the peers in Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses. Learners with mental health conditions are identified as a priority group in SOLAS’ guidelines for the FSD. SOLAS has advised my officials that over €5 million was allocated for the FSD in 2025. Furthermore, in Budget 2026, I am pleased to report that I secured an additional €2 million for the Fund.
Question No. 1170 answered with Question No. 1169.
Grant Payments
Questions (1171)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:1171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the grants available to a person (details supplied) enrolled in a course SUSI does not cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71992/25]
View answerWritten answers
As the Minister is aware, the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine. Up until the 2024/25 academic year, there was no fee support for students undertaking part-time courses. In recognition of the importance of flexible learning pathways, the Department introduced a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses in 2024. This scheme provides fee support to eligible part-time students enrolled in specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. It applies to both in-person and blended/hybrid courses and is designed to enhance access to higher education for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
At present, the scheme is limited to undergraduate courses, as the Student Support Act 2011 only permits approval of part-time courses at undergraduate level. The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme Regulations 2025, published on www.irishstatutuebook.ie, outlines the approved courses. I can confirm that the course the student is attending is not on the approved list. The Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review. However, any future expansion of the parameters of the scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
Students on part-time undergraduate programmes may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. I understand that the student to whom the Minister refers has already received financial support through the SAF. In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (1172)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:1172. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent on translation services from a company (details supplied) for the years 2020 to 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72069/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department engages external translation services from the company identified. As there is an ongoing and regular need for translation services, the Department currently has a dedicated contract with the company for the provision of Irish language translation services. A breakdown of expenditure by my Department with its current translation service provider is set out below:
|
Year |
Value |
|
2022 |
€1,191.43 |
|
2023 |
€15,190.86 |
|
2024 |
€28,147.58 |
|
2025 to 1st November |
€22,726.25 |
|
Total |
€67,256.12 |
Departmental Data
Questions (1173)
Thomas Gould
Question:1173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the college campus on the northside of Cork city. [72120/25]
View answerWritten answers
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. Rather than operating from an institution-specific annual distribution, 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). No proposal has been received for the delivery of a university campus on the northside of Cork city.
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.
The key Exchequer funding programmes to date include the following:
- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Programme
- Higher Education Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme
- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (co-funded with SEAI)
- Technological Sector Strategic Projects Programme
Departmental Data
Questions (1174, 1175)
Thomas Gould
Question:1174. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices, by phase, in Cork, in tabular form. [72121/25]
View answerThomas Gould
Question:1175. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average time it took, from Phase 1 to completion, to complete each apprenticeship in Cork, by trade in 2025 to date, in tabular form. [72122/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1174 and 1175 together.
Apprentices are employees and are registered by their employers in the Education and Training Board (ETB) region in which the employer is located. This means the apprentice may not necessarily reside in or be originally from that region, and an apprentice who does live in that region could be registered at another ETB.
The below table shows the number of craft apprentices, by phase, currently registered via Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) to complete an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are national programmes. Apprentices registered at CETB may conduct their ‘off-the-job training’ at national centres outside of this region based on their apprenticeship, availability of courses and position on the national waiting list, where applicable. It should be noted that this data is as per 11 December 2025.
Craft apprentices, by phase, currently registered via CETB
|
Phase 1 |
Phase 2 |
Phase 3 |
Phase 4 |
Phase 5 |
Phase 6 |
Phase 7 |
Total |
|
841 |
366 |
824 |
51 |
727 |
15 |
307 |
3,131 |
SOLAS, the state agency responsible for further and higher education, has advised that data cannot be provided detailing completion times for apprentices in Cork specifically. The current median time to completion across the craft apprenticeship system is 227 weeks. The mandatory time for craft apprenticeship certification is a minimum of 208 weeks and process times for validation of craft certification can take up to 12 weeks.
Question No. 1175 answered with Question No. 1174.
Question No. 1176 answered with Question No. 1165.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (1177)
Donna McGettigan
Question:1177. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his Department's strategy to expand connected hubs and remote working infrastructure including the potential for new hubs in Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71407/25]
View answerWritten answers
Our Rural Future, the Government's Rural Development Policy, recognises the opportunity for rural rejuvenation that remote working presents and commits to establishing a comprehensive and integrated national network of 400 remote working hubs by the end of 2025. I was delighted to announce at the National Hub Summit recently that we have reached that key target. As of the 8th of December, there are 401 hubs on-boarded to the Connected Hubs platform. In County Clare there are 14 hubs on-boarded, increasing from 10 when the platform was launched in 2021.
My Department has also funded the Broadband Connection Points (BCP) initiative which provides free high-speed broadband WiFi access at 300 locations around the country. Over 60 of these BCPs have established remote working facilities and are on-boarded to the Connected Hubs platform. Details of all the on-boarded hubs are available at www.connectedhubs.ie.
My Department has invested significantly in the establishment and development of remote working hubs through the range of schemes which make up my Department's Rural Development Investment Programme. This includes funding for the development of hubs under schemes such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and LEADER. It is envisaged that this capital funding will continue as part of these schemes with a continued strategic focus for this investment.
In 2021 and 2022, a new targeted scheme was implemented to support the development of facilities in hubs across Ireland including additional desk space, privacy booths, technical equipment, meeting facilities and access control. Almost €14 million in funding to some 200 projects was allocated via the 'Connected Hub Calls'.
I intend to publish a first National Hubs Strategy shortly, developed jointly with the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and the Western Development Commission and following consultation with key stakeholders. The strategy will present a coherent approach to the future development of remote working hubs and will include measures to underpin the sustainable development of the Connected Hubs network as well as supporting balanced regional economic development and digital services for rural communities.
Community Development Projects
Questions (1178)
Michael Murphy
Question:1178. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department's Community Centres Investment Fund can provide support in circumstances where an existing community centre, due to age, structural condition or non-compliance with modern standards, must be demolished and fully rebuilt; if such full-rebuild projects are eligible for funding under any strand of the scheme; if not, whether the eligibility can be changed for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71548/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. I expect to announce the next round of CCIF early next year, which will focus on refurbishment work in existing community centres. The details in this regard are currently being finalised.
My Department also supports community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage any interested organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
Údarás na Gaeltachta
Questions (1179, 1180)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:1179. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil comhairle dlí iarrtha aige nó ag a Roinn maidir leis an gcumhacht atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012, faoina bhféadfaí suíomhanna talún atá i bpunann mhaoine Údarás na Gaeltachta a úsáid ar mhaithe le tithíocht a chur ar fáil do chainteoirí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus, má tá chomhairle dlí faighte; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [71574/25]
View answer
Conor D McGuinness
Question:1180. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Conor D. McGuinness den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail, agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil comhairle dlí iarrtha aige nó ag a Roinn maidir leis an gcumhacht atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta, faoi Acht na Gaeltachta, 2012, faoina bhféadfaí suíomhanna talún atá ag Údarás na Gaeltachta a úsáid ar mhaithe le tithíocht a chur ar fáil do chainteoirí Gaeilge sa Ghaeltacht agus, má tá comhairle dlí faighte; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [71577/25]
View answerWritten answers
Tógfaidh mé Ceisteanna Uimh. 1179 agus 1180 le chéile.
Ba mhaith liom ceisteanna 71577/25 agus 71574/25 a thógáil le chéile. Mar pholasaí ginearálta, ní chuireann mo Roinn comhairle dlí atá faighte aice amach sa bhfearann poiblí.Chríochnaigh an Bille um Údarás na Gaeltachta (Leasú) 2024 Céim an Choiste i nDáil Éireann níos túisce i mbliana. Cé gurb é athbhunú toghcháin chuig bord an Údaráis príomhchuspóir an Bhille seo, ar mhaithe le tacú le soláthar títhíochta sa Ghaeltacht ann, déanfar leasú sa Bhille ar Alt 8 den Acht um Údarás na Gaeltachta, 1979, chun cead a thabhairt don Údarás talamh a dhíol le comhlacht tithíochta ceadaithe nó le húdarás tithíochta nó a dhiúscairt ar shlí eile chuig an gcéanna, chun tithíocht a sholáthar sa Ghaeltacht.
Question No. 1180 answered with Question No. 1179.
Programme for Government
Questions (1181, 1187)
Frankie Feighan
Question:1181. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made over the past 12 months on each of his Department's Programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71627/25]
View answer
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:1187. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the progress made over the past 12 months on each of his Department’s Programme for Government commitments, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72197/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1181 and 1187 together.
The Programme for Government, Securing Ireland’s Future, is a programme of investment and reform, backed by ambitious actions, which will support significant progress in addressing critical challenges.
Since this Government was formed, my Department has achieved significant progress across all actions for which it is responsible across the areas of rural development, community development, and Gaeltacht and the Islands. Comprehensive updates are set out in the table at the following link, and these updates demonstrate the extent of delivery across both policy and schemes in 2025.
Departmental Data
Questions (1182)
Aidan Farrelly
Question:1182. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the bilateral meetings he has had with his EU counterparts to date in 2025, in tabular form. [71703/25]
View answerWritten answers
As Minister my main formal interactions at European Union level relate to my role as Minister for Social Protection. Last month, I utilised the plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg to discuss and raise awareness of the issues relating to both Ministerial briefs, in the context of Irelands upcoming Presidency of the European Union.
While in Strasbourg I had a series of high-level discussions with the European Parliament’s Employment and Social Affairs Committee (EMPL). At these meetings I had the opportunity to highlight Ireland's focus on reducing poverty and ensuring equal opportunities. I also had the opportunity to meet with Rafael Benitez, Director of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe, EMPL Chair Li Andersson and senior members of the European Parliament, including Irish MEPs. I reiterated Ireland’s view that the Council of Europe remains a key European institution safeguarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. These meetings were primarily related to my social protection brief, but with strong links to the community development and social inclusion elements of the work of the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
I also met with a number of Irish MEPs to discuss LEADER funding in the context of the next Multiannual Financial Framework and advocating for a well funded CAP that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures such as LEADER. In this context I would note that the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine has established a CAP Consultative Committee, to facilitate the current negotiation process for the post 2027 period, and this committee includes representation from my Department.
While in Strasbourg I also met the EP Intergroup on Traditional Minorities, National Communities and Languages. I engaged with the group’s members on a range of issues including reinforcing the role of Irish as the community language of the Gaeltacht as well as its promotion at national level and efforts to enhance the use of Irish in public services in Ireland. On this issue, in October, I met with a delegation from the Finnish Parliament to discuss how the Irish language is promoted in the Gaeltacht. The delegation included; Dr Jussi Halla-aho, Speaker of Eduskunta, the Parliament of Finland, Mr Mikko Savola, MP and Ms Jenna Simula, MP.
I am hopeful that this engagement with by EU colleagues will help develop a focus on issues relating to the work of my Department, and contribute to a successful Presidency of the EU in the latter half of 2026.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1183)
Shay Brennan
Question:1183. Deputy Shay Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he plans to have a children's Irish-language publishing fund or a young writers Irish initiative for young Gaeilgeoirí. [71774/25]
View answerWritten answers
I understaand that Foras na Gaeilge has delivered initiatives to support the publication of works in Irish by young writers over the past number of years and will continue to build on these areas in 2026. These include:
• Scríobh Leabhar (www.forasnagaeilge.ie/scriobhleabhar/) 2025-2026: The aim of this initiative is to give an opportunity to children to write, design and publish their own books in Irish.
• Mentoring Scheme: Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge hopes to advertise this scheme in 2026 which gives trainee writers an opportunity to get advice regarding their writing and the art of writing in general from recognised writers.
In addition, under my Department's Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeilge, funds are available to organisations supporting young writers and children’s Irish-language publishing. In this context, Fighting Words na Gaeilge, runs a significant Irish language writing and publishing programme with funding support from my Department. My department has recently awarded €300,000 over a 3-year period (2025-2028, €100,000 in 2025-2026, €100,000 in 2026-2027, €100,000 in 2027-2028) for this scheme.
Fighting Words na Gaeilge works with schools and youth groups in Gaeltacht regions and with Gaelscoileanna across the country. Under this initiative, creative writing workshops, summer camps, clubs and projects are provided free of charge for young writers. Over the past three years, 12 collections of stories in the Scaip an Scéal series were written by children attending Gaeltacht schools from Kerry to Donegal and have been published in print and online by Fighting Words. Most recently - 'Is Fiú an Tairbhe an Trioblóid' was published with eight schools in Gaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht area. In addition to this, '1, 2, Spraoi' is a celebrated project where children write maths stories in Irish, whereby mathematical concepts are communicated and explained for children in story form. Two volumes have been published - in 2024 and 2025 - and again, these publications are available in print and online.
Departmental Data
Questions (1184)
Pádraig Rice
Question:1184. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the grants or supports available for community centre roof replacements and repairs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [71956/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. I expect to deliver the next round of CCIF next year, which will focus on refurbishment work in existing community centres. The details in this regard are currently being finalised.
My Department also supports community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
Departmental Funding
Questions (1185)
Thomas Gould
Question:1185. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht whether there is currently a funding stream for shovel ready community centres.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72059/25]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) was introduced to provide high quality, accessible, community spaces that are available to all groups in all communities in both rural and urban areas. Some €110 million has been allocated since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the scheme in the coming years in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. I expect to deliver the next round of CCIF next year, which will focus on refurbishment work in existing community centres. The details in this regard are currently being finalised.
My Department also supports community facilities with enhancement works through a range of other funding streams including through the CLÁR programme, LEADER and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. I would encourage organisations to check my Department’s website for information on funding opportunities and announcements.
Departmental Contracts
Questions (1186)
Eoghan Kenny
Question:1186. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the amount his Department has spent on translation services from a company (details supplied) for the years 2020 to 2025 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72074/25]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that my Department has not availed of the services of the company referred to by the Deputy in the years 2020 to date.
Question No. 1187 answered with Question No. 1181.
Community Development Projects
Questions (1188)
Ken O'Flynn
Question:1188. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if his Department has received and assessed the application for the refurbishment of a community centre and library (details supplied) in the north-east ward of Cork city; the current status of the proposal within his Department’s capital approvals process; whether any further information has been requested from Cork City Council; and the expected timeline for a final decision on funding, given that Cork City Council has already completed the preparatory work requested by his Department. [72317/25]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of library services is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the upgrade to the Frank O’Connor Library, Mayfield, Cork City, is a matter for Cork City Council in the first instance.The proposal in respect of the library element of the project is currently being progressed through my Department’s Four Stage Capital Management Process, and I can confirm that Stage 2 (Pre -statutory) Approval issued on 27 October 2022. This stage of the review process ensures that the library proposal complies with the requirements of my Department's Public Library National Standards and Benchmarks, which guide the development of the public library service, and it is not linked to any funding stream. The Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027 is currently fully committed.I am advised by Cork City Council that the extension and refurbishment of the Frank O’Connor Library, Mayfield, incorporating St Joseph’s Community Centre, is categorised as a priority project in the Council’s Development Plan 2022-2028. I am further informed that the Part 8 planning application, as per the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) requirements, was approved by Councillors in October 2024, allowing the proposal to be progressed through the standard planning approval process. The Part 8 approval is the next step in the process of providing a modern multi use facility and places the Mayfield development in a key place for funding applications once the opportunity arises.
Artificial Intelligence
Questions (1189, 1190)
Michael Cahill
Question:1189. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to introduce AI technologies in rural areas; and the way this will be done (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72347/25]
View answerMichael Cahill
Question:1190. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht there are any opportunities for AI training and the creation of AI-related jobs in rural areas (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [72348/25]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1189 and 1190 together.
The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment has overall responsibility with regard to Government strategy on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and that Department launched Ireland’s first National AI Strategy ‘AI – Here for Good’ in July 2021. That strategy was refreshed in November 2024, with the refresh including a focus on raising awareness within small and medium enterprises of the potential benefits of AI, and the role of research institutes in enhancing skills and research outputs in the area. Overall, the National AI Strategy serves as a roadmap for how Ireland can leverage the potential of AI for unlocking productivity, for addressing societal challenges, and for delivering public services. The actions within that strategy are equally applicable for rural enterprises and indeed the strategy specifically notes that investment in AI will be promoted through initiatives with a regional focus, including the Smart Regional Enterprise Innovation Scheme. I would also note that one of the most important drivers of AI usage will be access to appropriate connectivity and, as the Deputy may be aware, the Minister for Culture, Communications, and Sport recently announced that the National Broadband Plan is ahead of its targets, with 440,000 rural households and farms now passed by the network. In addition, investment by my Department in broadband connection points and in the national hub network has opened up opportunities right across rural Ireland. Government supported AI training is also available to all enterprises through entities such as CeADAR (Ireland’s National AI Hub) and Springboard provides a number of training opportunities, in particular through the Technological Universities (springboardcourses.ie/). Skillnet Ireland, an agency of Department of Further and Higher Education, is also helping businesses to address skills needs in AI and provides online Masters programmes in AI (ictskillnet.ie/course-category/artificial-intelligence/). This strategic investment in connectivity and training by the Government will ensure rural areas can yield the same benefits from AI as any other location in the country. My Department is currently developing a successor to Our Rural Future, the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. Submissions to the final period of public consultation closed on Friday 12th December, and will be reviewed to inform the new policy. The policy will include a focus on enterprise development, and the emerging opportunities for enterprise development in rural areas.