Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 June 2026
919. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that places on a range of specialist training courses operated by the National Learning Network are capped, due to cuts to City of Dublin Education and Training Board funding; if funding was made available then specialist training places for young adults would open up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47157/26]
View answerDeputy, there have been no cuts to the funding of City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB).
My Department is committed to supporting a Further Education and Training (FET) system that helps individuals succeed, boosts economic growth, and prepares our workforce for the challenges and opportunities ahead, while fostering stronger communities.
This commitment is underpinned by a significant investment in FET in 2026. SOLAS, as the statutory authority for FET, is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector, including to individual ETBs. This year, over €1.236 billion (excluding capital) is allocated to SOLAS. ETBs deliver the vast majority of FET provision and SOLAS is allocating over €1.077 billion in non-capital funding to ETBs in 2026.
This funding allocation agreed by Government at the Budget and set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services is clear and unambiguous. It is the responsibility of SOLAS and the ETBs to operate strictly within this allocation.
There are several specialist programmes within FET for learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision (STP), ETBs contract providers, including the National Learning Networks (NLN), to offer training to learners who require more intensive support than is available in mainstream FET settings.
City of Dublin ETB has advised my officials that, for 2026, €7.44 million has been allocated to NLN to provide specialist training. This allocation includes funding for learner allowances, and is projected to support 274 learners.
In comparison, City of Dublin ETB advised that the 2025 allocation to NLN totalled €7.08 million, which supported 259 learners. It should be noted that the 2025 figures represent actual expenditure, whereas the 2026 figures are budgeted projections.
As part of its overall budget management process, City of Dublin ETB also advised that it aligns provision levels across all programme areas with available resources and learner demand. This approach is applied consistently across all FET services, including NLN Specialist Training Programmes.
In line with its functions set out in the Education and Training Board Act of 2013, it is the responsibility of each Board to plan and deliver services throughout the year, taking into account their allocated budgets and the specific needs of their local communities.
