Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 April 2026
381. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason cuts have been made by an organisation (details supplied) impacting learners at another organisation; if he will examine this and reverse these cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27485/26]
View answerMy Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund to support the delivery of Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services across the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and other agencies nationwide.
Overall investment of over €1.2 billion has been allocated for the FET sector in 2026, of which almost €1.1 billion is allocated to ETBs to deliver a broad range of FET programmes.
All ETBs provide free ESOL classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. These courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL. In some ETBs, ESOL courses are also linked to career areas such as healthcare, hospitality, and childcare.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, there was an unprecedented and immediate increase in demand for ESOL provision. In response, the Government made available significant temporary funding to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) in Ireland.
This additional ESOL funding was always intended to be time-bound. In line with the fiscal parameters for Budget 2026, ESOL funding has now reverted to its core pre-2022 allocation of €4.2 million. While I appreciate that the end of temporary supports is challenging for some ETBs, it is important to reiterate that this does not constitute a reduction to the overall FET budget, nor does it mean that ESOL provision has ceased. ESOL continues to be delivered nationally as part of the established core FET offering. Galway and Roscommon ETB has forecast that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026.
SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland have been engaging with ETBs in recent months to assess the impact of the cessation of temporary funding supports.
It is the responsibility of SOLAS and the ETBs to plan their provision within the allocation agreed by Government. As the statutory authority for FET, SOLAS is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector, including to individual ETBs. This function is conducted independently of my Department and my office. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities, and local enterprise.
