Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
926. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of further education and training opportunities available to young persons on leaving school, including leaving school early, in the areas of Gorey and Courtown/Riverchapel, County Wexford. [53233/26]
View answerFurther Education and Training (FET) opportunities available to young people in Gorey and the neighbouring Courtown/Riverchapel area are provided primarily through Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board (WWETB). In addition to local provision, learners can avail of a wide range of further and higher education opportunities throughout County Wexford and across the South East region.
For young people completing second-level education, Gorey Institute of Further Education (GIFE) offers a broad range of Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) and further education programmes designed to support progression to employment, apprenticeships and higher education. Programme areas include Nursing Studies, Healthcare Support, Youth Work and Community Development, Accounting Technician and other business-related disciplines. These programmes provide learners with practical skills and recognised qualifications while also offering established progression routes to higher education institutions.
Gorey Further Education and Training Centre complements this provision by delivering a range of QQI-accredited programmes aimed at supporting progression to employment, further education and skills development. Courses are available in areas such as Business Administration, Office Skills and Information Technology, Engineering Skills and other vocational disciplines. The centre also provides adult literacy, community education, guidance and learner support services to assist learners in identifying and pursuing suitable educational and career pathways.
For young people who leave school early, Youthreach Gorey provides an alternative education and training pathway for early school leavers aged between 15 and 20 years. The programme combines education, training and work experience and supports progression to further education, apprenticeships and employment. Participants have opportunities to achieve nationally recognised qualifications, including the Leaving Certificate Applied and QQI Level 4 awards, while developing personal, social and vocational skills in a supportive learning environment. Courses are provided free of charge and eligible learners may receive training and travel supports.
In addition to provision available in Gorey, young people from Gorey and Courtown/Riverchapel can access a broad range of WWETB programmes across County Wexford, including traineeships, apprenticeships, PLC courses, specific skills training and other QQI-accredited programmes. The availability of transport links, blended learning options and online delivery models means that learners can access programmes beyond their immediate locality and pursue pathways that best align with their interests, abilities and career ambitions.
Young people in the area also benefit from access to a significant range of higher education opportunities across the South East and Dublin regions. Higher education institutions in Wexford, Waterford, Carlow and Dublin offer a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across fields such as business, engineering, technology, healthcare, science, the arts and the humanities. Strong progression arrangements between further and higher education ensure that learners can advance from FET programmes to higher-level qualifications where appropriate.
My Department, through SOLAS and WWETB, continues to support the delivery of accessible, flexible and high-quality Further Education and Training opportunities, while also promoting clear progression routes into higher education. This helps ensure that young people in Gorey, Courtown/Riverchapel and the wider North Wexford area can access a broad spectrum of education and training pathways that support lifelong learning, skills development and sustainable employment.
