Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2026
273. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered to ensure that rapidly growing regional populations are matched by adequate higher and further education infrastructure, apprenticeship provision and student supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/26]
View answerA key priority for my Department is to support balanced regional development by ensuring that higher and further education and training provision keeps pace with population growth and regional skills needs.
Through sustained capital investment, my Department is strengthening the capacity of Universities, Technological Universities and Education and Training Boards across the country. The Sectoral Investment Plan for the Tertiary Sector 2026–2030, published in December 2025, sets out my Department's key capital investment priorities to ensure infrastructure development aligns with demographic growth and regional demand.
My Department is taking a comprehensive, regionally balanced approach to expanding education provision. This includes expanding tertiary pathways, enabling students to begin their studies locally through Further Education and Training (FET) and progress to higher education. For 2026/27, 78 tertiary programmes with over 1,200 places are available nationwide, including 33 healthcare pathways accessible in every region.
The Government is also delivering one of the largest expansions of healthcare education capacity to date, supported by a €28.5 million investment in 2026. Alongside this, sustained investment of over €300 million in Technological Universities, alongside the approval of professorships positions is strengthening regional capacity, access and regional economic development.
The FET Strategy: Creating Futures 2026–2030 emphasises the importance of a responsive and agile FET system that can adapt to changing demographics and labour market needs. This is reflected in increased FET funding, which has risen from approximately €555 million in 2019 to €1.08 billion in 2026.
Apprenticeship expansion remains a key Government priority. Since 2020, apprentice registrations have increased by 78%, alongside a 40% expansion in the number of apprenticeship programmes. This expansion is supported by €415 million in apprenticeship funding in 2026 and a comprehensive range of supports for apprentices and employers.
Student supports continue to be provided through the Student Grant Scheme and the Part Time Fee Grant Scheme, which is administered by SUSI, for eligible students attending approved courses in approved institutions.
