Thank you for raising the matter of provision of adult education in Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB).
Firstly, I wish to advise that I am aware of the issues you have highlighted. However, it is important to provide some context, as well as details regarding the specific situation in GRETB.
As you know, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, significant temporary funding was allocated to support ESOL provision for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. These temporary allocations enabled ETBs to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians in Ireland.
While this temporary funding facilitated a rapid expansion of ESOL classes across the country, it was always intended to be time-bound. I wish to acknowledge the fact that ETBs and their staff showed significant commitment, flexibility and creativity in responding to this unprecedented demand, and their efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.
In terms of temporary ESOL funding, in 2025, SOLAS provided €2 million to Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) in relation ESOL. GRETB advised that a total of €2.28 million was spent on ESOL during that year. This funding allocation allowed for 2,750 unique learners to avail of ESOL courses in 2025.
It is important to note that ESOL provision has not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered across all ETBs within their core allocations. GRETB, for example, forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026, according to its draft Annual Service Plan.
The cessation of the temporary funding for ESOL provision is not a cut to overall funding. This funding was explicitly non-core and time-limited, and its conclusion does not alter the core allocation. In line with Budget 2026 parameters, funding for ESOL has returned to its 2021 core allocation level of €4.2 million. However, SOLAS' overall funding allocation to GRETB has increased from €49.175 million in 2020 to €65.707 million 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 ESOL funding. SOLAS has advised my officials that ETBs are assessing how best to adapt provision within their core allocation. SOLAS is establishing a working group to examine the impacts of the transition away from temporary funding and to explore approaches to maximise ESOL provision within the annual allocation.
Turning to the grade of Adult Educator more generally, the creation of the grade in 2024 was the culmination of many years of work by the Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and with the strong support of the unions SIPTU and TUI.
This new grade provides a standardised pay scale, delivering incremental progression for Adult Educators. Progress has been made in the regularisation of these posts with the introduction of a consistent method for awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration across ETBs and the provision of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme. Tutors who choose to assimilate onto the new contract will benefit from these standardised terms. Those who do not will remain on their existing contractual arrangements.
With respect to individuals employed at this grade, ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters. They are required to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage any issues that may arise, which are in line with employment legislation, where relevant.
