Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
780. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the further education sector during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73565/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to supporting a Further Education and Training (FET) sector that helps individuals succeed, drives economic growth, and prepares our workforce for future challenges while fostering stronger communities. This commitment is reflected in a significant investment of over €1 billion in 2025. Since 2020, investment in SOLAS has increased by nearly €310 million, excluding capital - a 37% rise. As of mid-November 2025, 339,364 learner places have been supported through FET, highlighting the vital role of FET in workforce upskilling and lifelong learning.
Apprenticeships remain central to Ireland’s skills strategy and key Government priorities in housing and climate action. Programmes have grown from 54 in 2020 to 78 by end-2025, including new areas such as Digital Marketing and Social Work. In October, I launched the first all-island apprenticeship, a Level 8 Accounting Technologist programme addressing digitisation in the profession. In Budget 2026, I secured an additional investment of €79 million, bringing the total apprenticeship budget to over €410 million, more than double the 2020 level. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026–2030, to be published next year, will target an increase in annual registrations to 12,500 by 2030, reflecting our Programme for Government commitment.
This Government continues to invest significantly in workforce development to support housing delivery and climate action through Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and green skills initiatives. In 2025, €2.7 million was allocated to SOLAS and Skillnet Ireland to advance MMC adoption, enabling new training programmes and the launch of the MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio and Accelerate platform. Budget 2026 builds on this with nearly €1.8 million for MMC skills development, supporting programme expansion, mobile training rigs, and platform enhancements. Green skills remain critical for meeting Climate Action Plan targets. Budget 2025 provided €2.3 million for training in offshore wind, retrofitting, and electro-mobility under Green Skills 2030. Budget 2026 reinforces this with €2.05 million to deliver programmes across seven sectors, launch a FET-version of Springboard+, expand the Offshore Wind Academy to 18 micro-credentials, and develop a dedicated training hub. These investments ensure Ireland’s workforce is equipped for housing and sustainability goals.
My Department remains committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities in line with the Programme for Government. The Fund for Students with Disabilities is a key fund that ensures students with disabilities have the necessary support and equipment to participate in Post-Leaving Certificate courses on an equal basis with their peers. SOLAS have advised my Department that €5.7 million was allocated for this initiative in 2025. In Budget 2026, I secured €2 million in additional funding for the Fund in FET. Included in this increase is funding to cover transport costs for students with intellectual disabilities on a range of FET courses. Budget 2026 ensures the continuation of a range of specialist supports for students with disabilities in FET. For example, through Specialist Training Provision the ETBs contract the National Learning Networks and other providers to offer training to learners who require more intensive support than is available in mainstream settings.
Making mainstream FET more accessible to all learners, irrespective of their specific needs, will remain a key priority for the ETBs in 2026. With support from SOLAS, Education and Training Boards Ireland and AHEAD, ETBs will continue to increase their capacity to enact Universal Design for Learning and to make Reasonable Accommodations.
The new FET Strategy for 2026–2030, launching next year, will focus on economic prosperity and social inclusion, setting out a roadmap to meet future skills needs, widen adult participation, and deliver a consistent learner experience. SOLAS is developing five-year performance agreements with all 16 Education and Training Boards to drive this ambition. Work is also progressing on a blueprint for the new FET College model, ensuring provision that is accessible, offers simplified pathways, and has a clear identity. Twelve major capital projects are advancing under the FET College of the Future Fund, addressing infrastructure deficits and supporting modern, integrated facilities. Eight projects have reached the pre-tender stage, while four remain at preliminary business case stage, with site acquisition planned for 2026.
Finally, the Tertiary Education Strategy 2026–2031 will align FET, higher education, and research to tackle challenges such as climate change and digital transformation. Built around four pillars—Competitiveness, Equality, System Performance, and Lifelong Learning—it will ensure Ireland harnesses the full potential of its further and higher education and research systems.
These measures will ensure the FET sector remains agile, inclusive, and aligned with Ireland’s future workforce needs.
