Written Answers Nos. 54-73
54. Deputy Micheál Carrigy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the progress towards the PfG target of 12,500 annual apprenticeship registrations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55565/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very pleased that €79 million was invested in apprenticeship delivery in Budget 2026, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to over €410 million. This is an increase of over 120% in apprenticeship funding since 2020. More than doubling investment in apprenticeship since 2020 is a clear, concrete demonstration of the Government’s commitment to achieving our apprenticeship registration targets.
Annual apprenticeship registrations have grown strongly in recent years from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024. This 51% increase provides a strong foundation for achieving the target of 12,500 annual apprentice registrations by the end of 2030.
55. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department will invest in apprenticeships following the significant allocation made in Budget 2026. [55836/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2026, I have secured an additional €79 million investment for apprenticeship delivery that will directly support the expansion of the apprenticeship system. A further €2.5 million was secured to reduce the cost of attending higher education by permanently lowering fees by 17% for over 14,000 apprentices in the 2025/26 academic year.
In recent years, supported by strong government investment, the apprenticeship system has grown significantly. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations have risen 63% from 4,377 in 2020, the year in which my department was formed, to 7,113 in 2024. In the same period Consortia-led registrations have grown from 949 to 2,239.
This investment has also supported a 34% growth in the number of apprenticeship programmes available from 58 to 78. There are now 25 craft apprenticeship programmes and 53 consortia-led programmes designed to serve industry needs across multiple sectors such as construction, ICT, hospitality, health, and social care - supporting Ireland both economically and socially. Work is ongoing to expand apprenticeship options further, with new programmes in development.
Building on this progress, next year we will launch the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, setting a target to increase annual apprentice registrations from 9,352 in 2024 to 12,500 by 2030. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are scheduled to commence shortly.
With the significant investment in Budget 2026 bringing the total funding for apprenticeship to over €400 million, a strong foundation has been laid to achieve the 12,500 target and support national infrastructure projects.
56. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the recommendation from Universities Ireland, which was agreed by individual universities, to drop the requirement for four A-levels from students for a more equitable points conversion system was announced and made public to schools and the student population in the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55765/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent revisions to the CAO points assigned to A level grades arose as a result of a Working Group established in 2023 under the auspices of Universities Ireland, which is an organisation composed of the Presidents and Vice Chancellors of Universities on the island of Ireland. Higher education institutions, as autonomous bodies, are responsible for their admissions policies and the communication of changes, including any future amendments, to such policies to their stakeholders, including prospective students is a matter for them.
It should also be noted that the CAO has a dedicated page on its website detailing the revisions, along with a guide to the application of CAO points assigned to all A Level grades. I also understand that CAO representatives participated at the Spring Northern Ireland Schools and Colleges Careers Association (NISCA) Spring conference and took the opportunity of explaining the changes to all participants there.
57. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work his Department has taken to advance the provision of purpose-built student accommodation at third-level institutions around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing for All includes specific actions to develop short-term state supports to activate the construction of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), alongside the design of a long-term policy framework for sustained state involvement in the sector.
In the short term, my focus has been on enabling stalled PBSA projects with secured planning permission to proceed, addressing viability challenges that have hindered delivery.
With €100 million allocated the Short-Term Activation Programme was introduced as the direct response to this commitment, providing targeted funding to Higher Education Institutions to accelerate the construction of new PBSA. As part of the funding conditions, a proportion of these beds will be ring-fenced for students from target groups identified in the National Access Plan and offered at reduced rental rates.
On the 5th of September I approved funding of €67m to enable University College Dublin to enter contract for the delivery of 493 Student Accommodation beds and I officially opened the Maynooth University’s 116-bed project on the 8th of September. Both projects progressed under the Short-Term Activation Programme.
Progress is also being made under the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme, which aims to assess proposals from the Sector for projects located on or near each of the main campus locations.
Stage 1 of this programme involved the submission of strategic assessment documents, exploring a range of delivery models, including purpose-built student accommodation both on and off campus, leasing, joint ventures, and the repurposing of vacant properties. The second phase will focus on developing and evaluating preliminary business cases.
The programme follows the Infrastructure Guidelines Process to ensure all projects are rigorously assessed for strategic fit, feasibility, and alignment with national policy objectives.
The Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035 due to be published in Q4, 2025 sets out national policy to support access to appropriate housing for full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions.
The Strategy’s objective is to increase the supply of new student accommodation beds through viability measures and target affordability supports for priority groups identified under the National Access Plan without any additional recourse to the private rental market.
58. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science cé na bearta atá sé chun a dhéanamh chun tabhairt faoina laghad cúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge atá á dtairiscint ag forais tríú leibhéal atá á maoiniú ag an Stát. [54512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra64. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science cad iad na bearta atá á nglacadh ag a roinn chun cúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí Ghaeilge a leathnú i gcomhréir leis an sprioc earcaíochta 20% de chuid na hearnála poiblí. [56003/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs prionsabal bunúsach inár gcóras oideachais é go bhfuil leibhéal ard neamhspleáchais ag institiúidí ardoideachais. Ní féidir leis an rialtas a rá leo cad é atá le teagasc ná an chaoi le dul i mbun teagaisc. Ina áit sin, oibríonn an córas ar bhonn freagrúlachta do riachtanais agus d’éilimh, i gcomhthéacs an chreata maidir le córas feidhmíochta an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas.
Is é ról atá ag mo Roinn ná a chinntiú go dtuigeann an earnáil tosaíochtaí náisiúnta; go dtacaíonn sí le hInstitiúidí Ardoideachais chun a n-oibleagáidí maidir le húsáid agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge a chomhlíonadh; agus go n-oibríonn sí i gcomhpháirtíocht chun dul i ngleic le bacainní ar dhul chun cinn.
Chuige sin, tacaíonn mo Roinn le hInstitiúidí Ardoideachais, tríd an Údarás um Ard-Oideachas (HEA) trí mhaoiniú blocdheontais agus leithdháiltí imfhálaithe a sholáthar chun tacú le tionscnaimh na Gaeilge san earnáil. Áirítear leis sin €1.8 milliún in aghaidh na bliana d’Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a bhfuil ról lárnach aici i soláthar cúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí mheán na Gaeilge. Chomh maith leis sin, cuirtear €900,000 ar fáil gach bliain chun tacú le húsáid níos leithne na Gaeilge ag mic léinn agus ag baill foirne ar fud earnáil an ardoideachais.
Creidim, áfach, gur gá níos mó a dhéanamh chun tacú le teagasc agus stádas na Gaeilge san ardoideachas, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na sprice 20% d’earcaíocht sa tseirbhís phoiblí. Ní mór don obair sin a bheith ag teacht le cuspóirí an Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge. Chuige sin, tugadh treoir do mo Roinn dul i mbun oibre go gníomhach ar fud an rialtais chun an obair sin a chur chun cinn.
Ciallóidh sé sin, ar dtús, go mbeidh gá le hoibriú leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Óige chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar aistriú daltaí ó iar-bhunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge go dtí an tríú leibhéal.
Ar an dara dul síos, dul i gcomhar leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail chun grúpa oibre earnála a bhunú chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a bhféadfadh oideachas tríú leibhéal cur le spriocanna teanga na seirbhíse poiblí .
Ar an tríú dul síos, taighde a dhéanamh chun tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar an éileamh atá ann cheana féin agus ar an éileamh amach anseo.
Ar an gceathrú dul síos, scrúdú a dhéanamh ar chuimsiú cúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge i bpróisis léirithe spéise amach anseo i réimsí ina bhfuil gá le scileanna.
Ar an gcúigiú dul síos, féachaint d’inbhuanaitheacht agus d’úsáid na Gaeilge sa straitéis náisiúnta atá le teacht maidir le hoideachas treasach.
Leis na bearta sin, creidim go ndéanfaidh mo Roinn dul chun cinn tábhachtach maidir leis an teanga agus soláthar seirbhísí Gaeilge a chur chun cinn.
59. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current SUSI income threshold and related grant supports for students from low and middle-income families in rural constituencies such as Galway east, where transport and accommodation costs are significantly higher due to limited public transport and distance from third-level campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55760/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the cost pressures facing students who pay for student accommodation or who commute long distances to their institutions. The Student Grant Scheme also recognises this by providing a higher non-adjacent maintenance grant rate for students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution.
Students this academic year are benefitting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.
In addition, I was delighted in Budget 2026 to: -
• Reduce the student contribution charge permanently by €500 commencing this academic year which will benefit c108,000 students.
• Increase all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates, c30,000 students this academic year will see a pro-rata increase of between €111-239.
• Permanently increase the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 benefitting over 2000 students.
From September 2026
Students will see the full benefit of non-adjacent maintenance grant rate increases with the: -
• Non-Adjacent Special Rate increasing by €350
• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increasing by €430
• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates increasing by €200
The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.
The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000-€120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.
60. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science cén plean atá aige chun a chinntiú go mbeidh dóthain céimithe inniúlacha a bhfuil Gaeilge acu ann chun gur féidir leis an Státchóras cloí le forálacha Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 go mbeadh 20 faoin gcéad de phoist folmha líonta ó 2030 ar aghaidh ag Gaeilgeoirí líofa.; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [54520/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraIs prionsabal bunúsach inár gcóras oideachais é go bhfuil leibhéal ard neamhspleáchais ag institiúidí ardoideachais. Ní féidir leis an rialtas a rá leo cad é atá le teagasc ná an chaoi le dul i mbun teagaisc. Ina áit sin, oibríonn an córas ar bhonn freagrúlachta do riachtanais agus d’éilimh, i gcomhthéacs an chreata maidir le córas feidhmíochta an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas.
Is é ról atá ag mo Roinn ná a chinntiú go dtuigeann an earnáil tosaíochtaí náisiúnta; go dtacaíonn sí le hInstitiúidí Ardoideachais chun a n-oibleagáidí maidir le húsáid agus cur chun cinn na Gaeilge a chomhlíonadh; agus go n-oibríonn sí i gcomhpháirtíocht chun dul i ngleic le bacainní ar dhul chun cinn.
Chuige sin, tacaíonn mo Roinn le hInstitiúidí Ardoideachais, tríd an Údarás um Ard-Oideachas (HEA) trí mhaoiniú blocdheontais agus leithdháiltí imfhálaithe a sholáthar chun tacú le tionscnaimh na Gaeilge san earnáil. Áirítear leis sin €1.8 milliún in aghaidh na bliana d’Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, a bhfuil ról lárnach aici i soláthar cúrsaí tríú leibhéal trí mheán na Gaeilge. Chomh maith leis sin, cuirtear €900,000 ar fáil gach bliain chun tacú le húsáid níos leithne na Gaeilge ag mic léinn agus ag baill foirne ar fud earnáil an ardoideachais.
Creidim, áfach, gur gá níos mó a dhéanamh chun tacú le teagasc agus stádas na Gaeilge san ardoideachas, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na sprice 20% d’earcaíocht sa tseirbhís phoiblí. Ní mór don obair sin a bheith ag teacht le cuspóirí an Phlean Náisiúnta um Sheirbhísí Poiblí Gaeilge. Chuige sin, tugadh treoir do mo Roinn dul i mbun oibre go gníomhach ar fud an rialtais chun an obair sin a chur chun cinn.
Ciallóidh sé sin, ar dtús, go mbeidh gá le hoibriú leis an Roinn Oideachais agus Óige chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar aistriú daltaí ó iar-bhunscoileanna lán-Ghaeilge go dtí an tríú leibhéal.
Ar an dara dul síos, dul i gcomhar leis an Roinn Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail chun grúpa oibre earnála a bhunú chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar an gcaoi a bhféadfadh oideachas tríú leibhéal cur le spriocanna teanga na seirbhíse poiblí .
Ar an tríú dul síos, taighde a dhéanamh chun tuiscint níos fearr a fháil ar an éileamh atá ann cheana féin agus ar an éileamh amach anseo.
Ar an gceathrú dul síos, scrúdú a dhéanamh ar chuimsiú cúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge i bpróisis léirithe spéise amach anseo i réimsí ina bhfuil gá le scileanna.
Ar an gcúigiú dul síos, féachaint d’inbhuanaitheacht agus d’úsáid na Gaeilge sa straitéis náisiúnta atá le teacht maidir le hoideachas treasach.
Leis na bearta sin, creidim go ndéanfaidh mo Roinn dul chun cinn tábhachtach maidir leis an teanga agus soláthar seirbhísí Gaeilge a chur chun cinn.
61. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements he has had with an organisation (details supplied) since August 2025 with regard to Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56051/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education.
Since taking up office earlier this year, I have met with AMLÉ on three occasions, 31st March, 3rd April during our Stakeholder event and 17th June, 2025. Last month I also met with representatives from fifteen Student Unions from various Higher Education Institutes as part of an intensive round of pre-budget meetings.
In September, I received a Pre-Budget Submission from AMLÉ which covered a broad range of areas. This submission was considered as part of the Budget 2026 deliberations and I was pleased to announce a number of significant improvements in Budget 2026 that will provide permanent support to reduce the cost of education for students and their families.
Students this academic year are benefitting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.
In addition I have:-
• reduced the student contribution charge permanently by €500 commencing this academic year which will benefit c108,000 students;
• Increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates with c30,000 students this academic year seeing a pro-rata increase of between €111-239;
• increased the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 benefitting over 2000 students.
From September 2026
Students will see the full benefit of non-adjacent maintenance grant rate increases with the:-
• Non-Adjacent Special Rate increasing by €350
• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increasing by €430
• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates increasing by €200
The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.
The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000-€120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.
I fully intend on continuing to work with AMLÉ, to bring forward measures that will have a meaningful impact on those who need it most.
62. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the extensive waiting lists for mental health supports in third level institutions; the actions he will take to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54867/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental health is an increasingly prominent issue across campuses and is a priority area for my Department. We also have a Programme for Government commitment to continue to support students experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges. I am pleased to tell you that as a part of Budget 2026 I am providing a 20% increase or €1m additional ringfenced funding in to support mental health initiatives, in addition to funding supports provided through core funding.
This will bring the specific fund to €6m for 2026 and assist the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the higher education institutions (HEIs) in the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework and the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework.
In terms of funding available to the higher education sector for mental health supports, HEIs receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities. Funding includes recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the HEA for direct disbursement to HEA funded higher education institutions. Institutions also receive tuition fees which incorporate the previous student services charge following the introduction of the student contribution in 2011.
As autonomous bodies the internal disbursement of funding, including the funding and expansion of student services and mental health supports, is a matter for the individual institution.
As part of its broader sectoral objective of supporting students on their journey to success, in and through higher education, my Department has provided €31.9 million to date in additional funding, to support mental health and wellbeing, through the HEA to HEIs since 2020.
National Projects were funded through this allocation between 2020 and 2025. These were a direct response to the HEA’s Connecting for Life Working Group identifying gaps in the current research and practice. These projects augment policymaking and facilitate the implementation of the framework, by providing dedicated tools, focused research, and professional collaboration.
HEIs in receipt of this funding are encouraged to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as:
• Recruitment of additional Student Counsellors
• Recruitment of additional Assistant Psychologists
• Head of Service posts
• Training of staff to enable them to support and refer students to appropriate services
• Raising awareness among students of mental health and wellbeing services available, including through student outreach activities
The majority of new posts created through this funding have been counsellors, reflecting the capacity building phase of the implementation of the Framework. HEIs have reported a breadth of positive impacts, from a reduction in engagement times to an increase in the number of sessions provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
63. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for further detail on the new 1,100 course places being provided under Budget 2026 in key health and social care professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54994/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2026, I am allocating €23.5 million, rising to €28.5 million when the €5 million vote transfer from the Department of Health is included, to significantly expand training capacity in key health and social care professions. This investment will support the creation of over 1,100 additional course places across medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and allied health disciplines in 2025 and 2026.
This expansion is a strategic response to the urgent workforce needs in our health, disability, and education sectors. It includes:
• 463 additional places in health and social care disciplines such as therapy disciplines, dietetics, radiography, and radiation therapy.
• 35 places in dentistry, 161 in pharmacy, and 80 in veterinary medicine, through new programmes launched or launching in institutions such as RCSI, ATU, SETU, and the University of Galway.
• More than 300 places in nursing and medicine, including new medical programmes in the University of Galway and University of Limerick.
• Continued support for over 100 places in nursing and medicine in Northern Irish institutions for students from the Republic of Ireland.
This represents a 27% increase in the number of places available across these critical disciplines. It is a substantial and strategic investment in growing our health and social care workforce and ensuring greater access to education in high-demand areas.
I will continue to work closely with colleagues across Government to ensure we sustain and build on this vital expansion, supporting the development of a resilient, well-trained health and social care workforce for the future.
65. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding has been allocated in Budget 2026 for the review into how students with disabilities are accommodated at third level; when the review will commence and finish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55896/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department intends undertaking a Disabilities Demonstration Project aimed at identifying and developing the most effective supports for students with disabilities across the tertiary education system. The project will underpin the development of a policy framework focused on delivering a more flexible, responsive, and tailored model of support to better meet the diverse needs of these students.
A key element of the project will involve engaging with relevant stakeholders, including those with lived experience of disability and expertise in disability support. This engagement will help to ensure that the design and implementation of future supports are informed by real-world insights and best practice.
The project will also explore how students with disabilities can be better supported to access meaningful work experience and successfully transition into employment following their studies. In addition, it will examine key transition points from second-level education into Further and Higher Education, and the supports available throughout the student journey in third-level.
This initiative is closely aligned with the Department’s commitments under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025–2030 and reflects Ireland’s obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It represents a significant step toward embedding equity and inclusion across the tertiary education landscape and will complement the existing supports already in place within the sector.
Funding for the project was previously secured, and it will be fully resourced from within my Department. This is an extensive project and I expect to make an announcement on the composition of the steering group and the terms of reference for the first phase of the project shortly.
66. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to review the operation of the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55562/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, a review was commissioned into SUSI and the operation of the Student Grant Scheme in 2021 and Indecon published a report in February 2022.
This report focused on structural changes to the Student Grant Scheme and a number of improvements were implemented on foot of the recommendations within the report. This improvements included positive changes to adjacent criteria, income thresholds and maintenance rates, and have benefited thousands of students.
Students this academic year are benefitting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.
In addition for this academic year I have:-
• reduced the student contribution charge permanently by €500 commencing this academic year which will benefit c108,000 students;
• Increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates with c30,000 students this academic year seeing a pro-rata increase of between €111-239;
• increased the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 benefitting over 2000 students.
From September 2026
Students will see the full benefit of non-adjacent maintenance grant rate increases with the:-
• Non-Adjacent Special Rate increasing by €350
• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increasing by €430
• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates increasing by €200
The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.
The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000-€120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.
The Programme for Government commits to reforming the Student Grant Scheme to better meet the needs of students, and I intend to commence an internal review on areas for reform shortly.
67. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on a new building for college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54273/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question. Louth Meath ETB (LMETB) has recently submitted its' updated Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund to SOLAS. The proposal details the infrastructure that the ETB wish to deliver in Dunboyne.
In terms of next steps, SOLAS will be shortly convening an evaluation panel to review this proposal. Business Cases that meet the evaluation criteria will advance to the next stage of development: Pre-Tender – Project Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The proposal submitted by LMETB involves the construction of a new, fit-for-purpose facility on a greenfield site in Dunboyne. This new facility is intended to replace the current rented accommodation in Dunboyne and is one of twelve projects currently being advanced under this fund.
In parallel to this work, LMETB is also progressing work on a preferred site option for the location of this new FET College. A price has been agreed with the vendor of the site, and the relevant due diligence is currently being carried out, this work remains ongoing.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support LMETB through the next stage of the development of its proposal. My department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff in the Dunboyne area and broader region.
68. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the Kilkenny further education and training centre. [56028/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Kilkenny and Carlow ETB's (KCETB) proposal for a new FET College in Kilkenny city has been successful in moving forward to the next stage of development - the Pre-tender, Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage following an evaluation process. Late last year approval and funding was provided for KCETB to acquire a 15-acre site at Joinersfolly, Loughboy, Kilkenny to facilitate this new flagship development.
KCETBs proposal is to construct a new integrated Further Education and Training College of the Future on this site. The proposed facility proposes to address critical needs, including providing a state-of-the-art education and training facility,
It also proposes to provide for the consolidation of multiple existing services that are currently dispersed around Kilkenny city into one key location, providing a flagship FET college to facilitate integrated provision and learning pathways across the full suite of FET provision.
SOLAS continues to engage with KCETB around further developing their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation. Work has also begun on the development of standardised tender documents.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support KCETB through the next stage of the development of its proposal.
69. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on any progress being made on the funding issues at SOLAS and ETBs’ apprenticeship training programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55895/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, through ongoing engagement between SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), a funding pressure was identified for the 2025 apprenticeship budget. This pressure was primarily linked to the cost of State Allowances paid to apprentices during their off-the-job training phases.
SOLAS is the State agency responsible for the further education and training (FET) sector. A key part of its remit is to allocate funding to ETBs to deliver FET programmes, including apprenticeships.
I directed SOLAS to ensure that no existing apprenticeship classes would be cancelled as this issue was worked through. A resolution was found and resources will be prioritised to meet this pressure in 2025. SOLAS worked closely with ETBs to complete detailed scheduling for the remainder of the year. This work is now complete, and on 11 August, SOLAS confirmed final apprenticeship funding allocations with ETBs, enabling them to proceed with scheduling and delivery without delay.
No apprenticeship classes were cancelled, and nor were any budgets for other FET programmes affected because of the apprenticeship funding pressure.
Through Budget 2026, which saw a significant investment of €79 million in apprenticeship delivery, permanent funding has been secured to address any full year costs associated with the funding pressure in 2026.
Apprenticeship funding has more than doubled since 2020, rising from €184 million to over €410 million by 2026, a clear demonstration of this Government’s continuing commitment to support and expand the apprenticeship system.
70. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proportion of his Department’s research budget which is allocated for new research versus earmarked or pre-committed to existing programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55974/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is leading the implementation of the ambitious suite of actions laid out in Impact 2030 - Ireland's research and innovation strategy. Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland was established in mid 2024 as Ireland's new competitive research funding agency. The agency has a new, broad remit, with new programmes and programme redesign being rolled out on a phased basis. It is important that we ensure continuity of support and minimal disruption for our researchers, so these changes are being brought through in a staged and carefully planned manner. This ensures that any changes can be effectively communicated and that adequate stakeholder consultation has taken place.
To this end, the agency is preparing a five year corporate plan, and has engaged in an intensive programme of stakeholder consultation with researchers, higher education institutions, research performing organisations and research funding government departments. These engagements have informed the development of the agency corporate plan, which is due to be completed in Q4 2025.
The agency is also preparing its annual plan, detailing its anticipated programme allocations across all agency programmes. As provided for in the legislation, the agency prepares and submits an annual plan to the Minister, outlining the proposed activities for the year, and the performance targets relating to those activities. This plan will be finalised in the coming months and these figures will only be fully worked through when the annual plan is submitted for approval and publication.
In 2026, Research Ireland will establish new, globally competitive Research Centres, which will play a crucial role in keeping Ireland internationally competitive. These centres will drive research and innovation in areas of national strategic importance, provide PhD training aligned with future skills needs, support regional development and smart specialisation, compete for European Union funding, and collaborate with industry to ensure knowledge transfer from our Higher Education Institutes to the wider economy and society.
In 2026, Research Ireland will:
Launch a new competition to establish the second wave of Centres for Research Training. These virtual centres will bring together leading researchers who will train cohorts of PhD researchers, collaborate and build agile and scalable capacity in critical areas of national needs (beyond the Research Centres).
The first awards will be made under the new flagship Research Ireland Investigators Programme, which will fund excellent research and innovation across all disciplines and career stages, including interdisciplinary research, realising one of the key benefits of the new research agency. This programme will support researchers in undertaking cutting-edge work, train PhDs, and retain top talent within our Higher Education Institutes and public research bodies.
Commence awards under Global Talent Ireland, a key Government initiative in the current global environment, designed to attract outstanding international researchers to Irish higher education institutions and public research bodies. The programme is designed to attract international research talent to Ireland and represents a critical initiative in the current global environment, to attract outstanding international researchers. The initiative will have a preliminary budget of €8 million per annum, with additional funding to be sought as it scales up.
I also intend to ensure the commencement of a new programme of investment in research infrastructure and equipment for the sector, with officials of my Department advancing planning in this regard on an urgent basis.
71. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the uptake of apprenticeships across the country in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56029/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in the apprenticeship system has been significant since my department was formed in 2020. To ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled apprentices to support government targets on housing and infrastructure development, €79 million has been invested in the apprenticeship system in Budget 2026, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to €411 million. This represents a significant increase of 123% in apprenticeship funding since 2020.
Annual apprenticeship registrations have grown strongly in recent years from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024. This 51% increase provides a strong foundation for achieving the Government's target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations annually by 2030, with two-thirds of these in craft and construction-related programmes.
As of September this year, there have been 6,676 apprenticeship registrations. It should be noted that in 2024 the last four months of the year were the strongest period for apprenticeship registrations - 45% of all registrations for the year took place in this period.
A key goal set out in the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021-2025 is for apprenticeship to be recognised and valued by employers in many sectors of Ireland’s economy as a key route to recruiting a highly skilled workforce. At present, there is a total of 78 national apprenticeship programmes, 25 of which are Craft Apprenticeships and 53 of which are Consortia-Led programmes. These 78 apprenticeships cover a diverse assortment of career paths, ranging from Cybersecurity to Hairdressing.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030 will be launched next year, delivering on a key commitment in the Programme for Government. The investment announced in Budget 2026 will support the apprenticeship system's ability to meet current and future skills needs over the next five years. Stakeholder consultations on the new Plan are scheduled to commence shortly.
72. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the national student accommodation strategy, which was due to be updated in 2024, and if he could provide a date for publication of an updated strategy. [55763/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will publish a new long term student accommodation strategy (2025-2035) later this year.
It will include viability measures to support the development of new accommodation without any additional recourse to the private rental market and affordability supports for priority groups identified under the National Access Plan.
73. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide clarification in relation to Local Training Initiative Operating Guidelines (details supplied); if this policy means that LTIs are not financially independent and cannot generate or retain income to improve wages or conditions, given all funding is fully controlled and accounted for through the ETB and SOLAS system and therefore contradicts the view that LTIs independently set their own pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55740/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy way of background, Local Training Initiatives (LTIs) are community-based training programmes designed to support individuals who face economic, social, geographic, or educational disadvantage. The training programmes offered are tailored to meet specific local needs, ensuring relevance and impact within the community.
LTIs are independent organisations, with their own independent Boards of Directors. Their relationship with their grantors, the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), is governed by Department of Public Expenditure’s (DPER) Circular 13 of 2014 titled “Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds”. This circular guides the management, accountability, and reporting of public funds allocated through grants. It applies to all bodies receiving such grants, including agencies, charities, and other entities.
My Department is not the employer of LTI staff and holds no role in determining their pay or conditions. This responsibility lies with the Board of Directors of the LTI.
The operational guidelines being referred to were developed by SOLAS prior to DPER circular 13 of 2014. Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) is currently leading work on the development of new operational guidelines to manage the relationship between ETBs and grant-funded organisations providing education and training, which will be published by SOLAS in the new year. These new operational guidelines will be based on DPER circular 13 of 2014 and will supersede those published by SOLAS prior to DPER 13 2014. The organisations they relate to are Community Training Centres, LTIs and Specialist Training Providers. The issues raised by Deputy are being considered within this substantial piece of work.
