Promoting the importance of lifelong learning has been a key focus of my Department since its establishment nearly six years ago. Skills have been positioned at the centre of policy development through sustained efforts to raise awareness about the importance of skills and creating reskilling and upskilling initiatives, ensuring opportunities are available to suit every type of learner.
Lifelong learning was one of the four priority areas examined by the 2023 OECD Review of Ireland’s National Skills Strategy, with the Review noting that a culture of lifelong learning needs to be further strengthened so that the adult participation rate in education and training in Ireland increases.
Ireland’s lifelong learning rate (in comparison to the EU average) is assessed through the Adult Education Survey, which is completed every five years. The most recent survey, conducted in 2022, indicates that Ireland’s participation rate is 48.3%, placing Ireland’s participation rate above the EU 27 average of 39.5%. For clarity, this figure corresponds to the EU-defined age group of 25–64 used for the purposes of measuring progress against the EU target.
Last July, the National Skills Council (NSC) published its first advice to government on skills development priorities, which included recommending the establishment of a new National Skills Observatory (NSO) to improve the coherence and availability of skills data across the skills system. In 2026, I allocated €0.4 million from the National Training Fund (NTF) to SOLAS for the establishment of the NSO. The Observatory will act as a central repository for labour market and skills information in Ireland, facilitating improved workforce planning, stronger policy and decision-making, and improved lifelong learning and workforce reskilling, among other benefits.
Furthermore, I recently launched AIReady.ie, a new national online AI skilling platform developed by SOLAS in partnership with the NSC. Initial content focuses on building foundational AI literacy and practical digital capability through four free short courses tailored to older people, small businesses such as sole traders and farmers, and individuals returning to the workforce. The platform is designed to make learning about AI more accessible and inclusive.
It is not possible to provide a precise breakdown of NTF expenditure attributable solely to digital skills, green skills and lifelong learning programmes, as they are embedded across a broader suite of digital skills, innovation and workforce development programmes as funding is generally allocated at programme rather than individual thematic level.
However, in 2026, specific initiatives being funded from the NTF Surplus Package include:
• €1.2 million to SOLAS, to deliver on outputs and outcomes to achieve the objectives of its Green Skills 2030 strategy.
• €0.4 million has been allocated to further build and scale “skills bootcamps”, specifically aimed at cohorts less likely to engage in Lifelong Learning, for example older workers.
• €1.7 million to Skillnet Ireland for Construction and Green Skills initiatives and Modern Methods of Construction. This funding will increase the functionality of Skillnet MMC Accelerate and showcase Modern Methods of Construction, as well as enable the continued development of Skillnet Offshore Wind Academy (SOWA) and the initiation of an Offshore Wind Training Hub.
My Department will continue to work in partnership with all stakeholders in the skills ecosystem to shape a more agile, inclusive and resilient approach to skills.
