Education and Training Provision

Tuesday, 12 May 2026

Ceisteanna (1274)

Carol Nolan

Ceist:

1274. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he accepts the conclusion in the report of an organisation (details supplied) of July 2022 that the accumulation of NTF surpluses is not caused by EU fiscal rules but is instead a political choice on expenditure prioritisation; whether he will now increase the Department's expenditure ceiling to utilise the existing surplus and the further €283 million that remained unspent in 2025; and the timeline for delivering real skills investment rather than allowing employer contributions to continue accumulating unused. [34747/26]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I am sure that the Deputy recognises that any adjustment to a Department’s expenditure ceiling is a matter for Government as part of the annual budgetary process and is not within my gift as Minister to unilaterally increase my Department's expenditure ceiling.

As a member of the European Union (EU), Ireland is subject to the EU fiscal framework. Government expenditure is determined annually through the Summer Economic Statement and is set out within the Medium Term Expenditure Framework, which was presented to the EU last September. This framework outlines how Government manages expenditure over a multiyear horizon and how departmental ceilings are determined. Both Vote and National Training Fund expenditure sit within these expenditure limits.

As I have advised previously, all NTF expenditure counts within my Department’s overall expenditure ceiling, in the same manner as Vote expenditure. Any increase in NTF-funded activity must therefore be accommodated either through reductions elsewhere within the Vote or through an increase in overall Government expenditure ceilings agreed by Government. For clarity, all Departmental expenditure, including expenditure from the NTF, is determined through the annual Estimates process.