Deputy, there has been no reduction to the overall core allocation to Further Education and Training (FET). Furthermore, I can assure you that the Government’s 10-year Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) remains a key priority for my Department, and its implementation is supported through an investment of €4 million. In addition, SOLAS allocates, on average, €30 million per annum to adult literacy programmes, which are delivered free of charge to learners who need them.
My Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund to support the delivery of FET programmes and services across the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and other agencies nationwide. My Department is investing over €1.2 billion in the FET sector in 2026, of which almost €1.1 billion is allocated to ETBs to deliver a broad range of FET programmes.
It is the responsibility of SOLAS and the ETBs to plan their provision within the allocation agreed by Government. As the statutory authority for FET, SOLAS is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector, including to individual ETBs. This function is conducted independently of my Department and my office. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities, and local enterprise.
All ETBs provide free ESOL classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. These courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, there was an unprecedented and immediate increase in demand for ESOL provision. In response, the Government made available significant temporary funding to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) in Ireland.
This additional ESOL funding was always intended to be time-bound. In line with the fiscal parameters for Budget 2026, ESOL funding has now reverted to its core pre-2022 allocation of €4.2 million.
I wish to acknowledge the commitment, flexibility and innovation shown by ETBs and their staff across the country, whose efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.
While I appreciate that the end of temporary supports is challenging for some ETBs, it is important to reiterate that this does not constitute a reduction to the overall FET budget, nor does it mean that ESOL provision has ceased. ESOL continues to be delivered nationally as part of the established core FET offering. Galway and Roscommon ETB (GRETB) forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision across Galway and Roscommon in 2026.
SOLAS overall funding to GRETB has increased from €49.175 million in 2020 to €65.707 million in 2026. GRETB informed my officials that no specific disability focused programmes have been withdrawn. Furthermore, GRETB has advised that its Adult Literacy allocation has increased from €2.17 million in 2025 to €2.63 million in 2026.
