Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:295. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the distribution of new core funding posts under budget 2025, by institution. [36412/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (295)
Freagraí scríofa
The higher education sector operates under the terms of an Employment Control Framework (ECF) which is in place since 2011. The ECF places a ceiling on core-funded posts, which is reviewed by my Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, on an annual basis as part of the budgetary process.
The following table sets out details of the additional core-funded posts allocated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for 2025. The figures are based on whole time equivalents.
|
Institution |
2025 Posts Allocated |
|
University College Dublin |
72.7 |
|
University College Cork |
56.3 |
|
University of Galway |
46 |
|
Maynooth University |
35.5 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
56.7 |
|
University of Limerick |
41.2 |
|
Dublin City University |
43.6 |
|
Mary Immaculate College |
14.5 |
|
National College of Art & Design |
8 |
|
Atlantic Technological University |
50.3 |
|
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
11.8 |
|
Dun Laoghaire IADT |
7.1 |
|
Munster Technological University |
41.1 |
|
South East Technological University |
38.4 |
|
Technological University Dublin |
68.1 |
|
Technological University of the Shannon |
32.1 |
These additional posts are aligned with the increased core funding provided in Budget 2025 under Funding the Future. The Deputy should be aware that there are further additional posts due to be allocated by the HEA to the Technological Sector in respect of enhanced apprenticeship provision for 2025.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (296)
Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:296. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of regional dialogue meetings held by his Department in 2023. [36413/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2023, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science engaged in six regional dialogue meetings concerning the Unified Tertiary Policy. Those meetings were
• June 15th in Cavan
• June 23rd in Galway
• June 26th in Cork
• June 28th in Waterford
• June 29th in Dublin
• November 6th in Athlone
Further and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (297)
Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:297. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students enrolled in each of the 19 programmes under the National Tertiary Office. [36414/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The tables at the link below show the numbers of students enrolled on tertiary programmes facilitated by the National Tertiary Office in 2024.
Updated data on the student numbers enrolled on the 19 tertiary programmes which commenced in September 2024 will be available as of October 2025.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (298)
Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:298. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of a further sectoral consultation with providers engaging with the new learner protection fund. [36415/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
All outstanding provisions of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 were commenced on 1 September 2024. This Act provides the legislative underpinning for a range of new statutory functions under the remit of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) including a new Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) scheme underpinned by the establishment of a Learner Protection Fund (LPF). This commencement was accompanied by two Ministerial Regulations detailing the operational arrangements for the new LPF alongside the charges payable by obligated providers to the Fund.
At the launch event for these new functions, held in September 2024, noting concerns raised by providers in respect of the new PEL scheme, it was announced that the Department would be undertaking further consultation with sectoral providers and stakeholders in relation to its implementation. This process is currently underway and is being supported by Grant Thornton who have been appointed by the Department to assist with this engagement.
Grant Thornton has completed its consultation with providers and stakeholders to both collect relevant sectoral and learner data as well as to obtain wider perspectives on the new scheme. Grant Thornton has also engaged with regulatory bodies in other jurisdictions to gain further insights on international comparators to Ireland’s PEL arrangements.
Based on this work, Grant Thornton is currently preparing a report and recommendations for the implementation of the new PEL scheme. This work is at an advanced stage and it is expected that this report will be submitted for the consideration of the Minister later this month.
Departmental Programmes
Ceisteanna (299)
John Connolly
Ceist:299. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht for an update on the efforts to ensure through negotiations that the LEADER programme continues to be funded under pillar 2 of the Common Agricultural Policy, as part of the next EU multi-annual financial framework discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36641/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current LEADER programme is co-financed by the European Commission under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), through the European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development. It is connected to Objective 8 of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP). The total amount of funding allocated to LEADER for the period of 2021-2027 is €250 million, maintaining the level of funding of the previous 2014-2020 programming period.
The European Commission is expected to publish the draft post-2027 CAP regulations later this year, after the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) proposals in mid-July 2025. As part of the CAP and MFF negotiations progress, Ireland will continue to advocate for a distinct, two pillar and ring-fenced EU funding programme for the CAP that supports farm resilience, environmental ambition, and rural development measures such as LEADER. My Department will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine as part of this process and in respect of the future LEADER programme.
Rural Schemes
Ceisteanna (300)
John Connolly
Ceist:300. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if the local improvement scheme will be open for applications in 2026; if so, when local authorities will be provided with the details of the 2026 scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36261/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a key support for rural communities in improving non-public roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its reintroduction in 2017, the government has provided almost €170 million to local authorities under the Scheme.
The Programme for Government commits to the provision of additional funding for the LIS. As the Deputy will be aware, discussions on funding allocations for the Department's schemes in 2026 are part of the annual estimates process and details will be announced as part of Budget 2026 later this year.
I am aware that local authorities are heavily involved in the delivery of LIS and other programmes and my Department endeavours to ensure that the launch of the Scheme is announced as early as possible to allow local authorities to plan and manage their resources so that as many roads as possible are included for upgrade under the Scheme each year. It is my intention that local authorities will be advised of the details of the 2026 Scheme following its launch in early 2026.
The LIS process is now well established within local authorities. The management of LIS has primarily resulted in the full utilisation of annual budgets over recent years. The Department will continue to review the operation of the scheme, considering ways to improve funding distribution and ensure the process remains fair and effective.