Written Answers Nos. 269-282
269. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for publication of the new national strategy on artificial intelligence skills and workforce development; and the measures being taken to ensure Ireland remains competitive in attracting high-value technology investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35621/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is collaborating with Department of An Taoiseach to implement Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future, which launched earlier this year. Under the Strategy, to empower our people to thrive in a digital society, Ireland will seek to:
• Optimise the pipeline of specialist technology skills to meet industry and public sector needs) and diversify the profile of digital specialists, by encouraging under-represented groups to become technology specialists.
• Provide skilling and upskilling opportunities for businesses, NGOs and public sector organisations to support their digital transformation.
• Embed the development of digital skills and the use of digital technologies across education and training, including the use of AI for teaching and learning.
• Enhance digital literacy for all, including AI literacy.
To drive the delivery of our commitments under Digital Ireland, my Department, has several deliverables to ensure our workforce remains competitive. Including:
• A Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future, to optimise the pipeline of specialist technology skills to meet industry and public sector needs;
• The Statement of Ambition on Digital and AI Skills to clarify the priorities of the further and higher education sector and the wider skills eco-system regarding the acquisition of digital and AI skills;
• AI micro-qualifications developed by SOLAS were launched in February. They are available through the 16 ETBs. They aim to upskill citizens and Irish businesses in AI technologies;
• An online platform, AIReady, offering AI learning opportunities for all was launched on the 23rd of April and seeks to support the digital transformation. Future phases of the platform will expand the range of user profiles supported and provide more specialised learning opportunities tailored to specific sectors and skill levels.
These initiatives form part of my broader ambition to upskill one million people in this area and to strengthen our national response to identified AI and digital skills needs.
270. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to increase the number of training places in key professions experiencing workforce shortages, including healthcare, construction, engineering and advanced manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank Deputy Aird for his interest in the efforts my Department is undertaking to increase training provision in key professions and trades across the tertiary sector.
If I can start with our specific efforts on construction skills. Research commissioned by my Department shows that modern methods of construction, or MMC, could significantly lessen the demand for workers in the construction sector, so we are leading on a number of activities to prepare the workforce for the transition to MMC. This includes the rollout of the MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio developed by the Laois-Offaly ETB and the National Construction Training Campus. The Portfolio comprises micro-credentials covering zero emissions buildings, sustainability, digital technologies, and local authority-focused training. Almost 500 learners participated in these courses in 2025. The National Construction Training Campus is currently developing a range of other MMC courses, including an MMC Traineeship.
My Department is also engaged in extensive work to further develop the apprenticeship system as an important part of the overall tertiary response to construction skills requirements.
Budget 2026 provides €79m (€65m in core funding and €14m multiannual funding until 2029) which will provide significant investment into the apprenticeship system. This funding represents the single largest core investment in apprenticeship since the foundation of the Department in 2020 and will support the increased delivery of skills in the construction sector.
The number of apprentices in construction and related fields has grown by 57% between 2020 and 2025, from 14,567 to 22,807, while registrations on these programmes rose by 69%, from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,428 in 2025.
This year will see the launch of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026-2030. A key commitment in the Programme for Government the Plan will have a headline target of 12,500 new apprentice registrations per year by 2030 and two-thirds of these will be in construction-related programmes.
Pathways into engineering have expanded in recent years, with two Civil Engineering apprenticeships, at Level 6 (two years) and Level 7 (three years), now available through Atlantic Technological University. There are four other engineering/ related apprenticeships currently in development; Level 8 Civil Engineering, and Level 6 Robotics and Automation, Precision Machinist and Quality Control, and Geospatial Survey Technician.
A total of 11 engineering-related apprenticeships are also construction-related. 655 apprentices were registered for these programmes in 2025, up 14% from 574 in 2023. Registrations to date in 2026 are very much in line with 2025.
In relation to advanced manufacturing, the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellent (AMTCE), managed by Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB), specialises in the delivery of high-quality advanced manufacturing training for Ireland’s current and future workforce.
Where the training requirement is of a very new and emerging technology, AMTCE has worked in partnership with industry partners to develop new courses and to seek validation nationally for same, examples of such programme development include the Level 6 Special Purpose Award in 3D Construction Printing, Level 6 Using Robotics in Advanced Manufacturing (URAM), and a Level 6 Robotics and Automation Apprenticeship.
Springboard+ is a key part of our skills response to critical areas. Managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department, it complements the core State-funded education and training system and provides free and subsidised upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need.
Since 2011, over €360 million has been spent on Springboard+ and over 100,000 people have benefited from the programme to date, while the 2026 iteration of the Springboard+ programme will provide more than 7,200 places across 244 courses delivered by 36 education providers nationwide.
The programme includes courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, digital technologies, sustainability, healthcare innovation, advanced manufacturing and business leadership, as well as emerging fields including offshore wind energy, circular economy initiatives, carbon accounting, aircraft leasing, agri-innovation and climate-related enterprise. Many of these courses focus on sectors experiencing strong growth, particularly in digital technologies, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
In healthcare, I am delighted to say that my Department is supporting one of the largest expansions of healthcare education capacity in the State’s history.
This expansion, which will be supported by a €28.5 million investment in 2026, is building on significant additional CAO-accessible places across medicine, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy, therapies, social care and allied health professions and veterinary medicine. The introduction of new courses has allowed for a regional spread to provision of new places on healthcare and veterinary courses.
As part of the Government’s multi-annual healthcare workforce strategy, significant additional capacity is being delivered within higher education institutions between 2025 and 2027.
The University of Limerick has received accreditation for their new direct entry medicine programme from the Medical Council and is due to commence intake of students in September 2026. The continued delivery of the final tranche of the 200 additional medicine places agreed with medical schools nationwide, including allocations across Dublin medical schools, with only 20 places remaining to be delivered in September 2026.
Trinity College Dublin is delivering major increases in physiotherapy, rising to 50 additional places, alongside new or expanded provision in occupational therapy and radiation therapy. UCD is delivering 60 additional radiography places across 2025 and 2026. DCU and RCSI are expanding physiotherapy capacity, while TU Dublin and TCD are delivering additional places in dietetics and medical science.
RCSI’s new dentistry programme has already commenced, delivering 20 places in 2025 and scaling up to 33 additional places by 2027.
Last September saw the introduction of a new nursing program in Maynooth University, which will increase intake to 100 students over the coming years, with further expansion being examined.
Building on recent increases in pharmacy across higher education, the South East Technological University (SETU) is commencing a new Pharmacy Programme (MPharm) in 2026 with an initial intake of 40 students.
Both SETU and ATU are introducing a new Veterinary Medicine programme with an initial intake of 40 students per programme.
The expansion of veterinary education under the Veterinary Places Activation Programme is being supported through a substantial, targeted capital investment by Government.
Overall, the wider Healthcare programme is backed by €155 million, of which a significant portion is specifically ring-fenced for veterinary education.
Within this, my Department is providing €41 million in capital funding to support the development of the two new veterinary schools at South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University.
In addition, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is contributing €25 million, reflecting the strategic importance of veterinary capacity to the agri-food sector, with further engagement ongoing in relation to additional co-funding.
This significant level of investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to expanding domestic veterinary education capacity, reducing reliance on overseas provision, and supporting regional development.
From the academic year 2026/27 there will be 33 different pathways, and a total of 339 places in tertiary pathways to healthcare. Ten of these pathways – encompassing 95 places - will be offered for the first time this year. There are now pathways into healthcare professions in every region in Ireland.
My Department are examining wider nursing expansion, subject to the necessary approvals, and continues to work closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and the HEA to ensure that education expansion is matched with sustainable clinical placement capacity.
Many of the above-mentioned initiatives, including Springboard+, are supported by the National Training Fund (NTF), a dedicated fund to support the training of those in employment, those seeking employment and to support lifelong learning. The NTF is required to allocate funding for research to provide information on existing and likely future skills requirements of the economy, with any surpluses used to support reinvestment into eligible training facilities.
Under the NTF, €489m was allocated to workforce training in 2025. This is a 985% increase on 2020 expenditure, and included capital funding of €25m, which is an increase of 85% over 2020 (€265m).
In January, the Commencement Order for the National Training Fund (Amendment) Act 2025 was signed, unlocking €1.5?billion from the NTF surplus over six years to 2030. This comprises €885 million in current funding and a €650 million capital uplift. As outlined above, this funding will deliver expanded healthcare and veterinary training facilities, investment in further education and apprenticeships, and provide modern infrastructure to deliver world-class skills.
271. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made in expanding tertiary education pathways between further education and higher education institutions; and how these pathways will support regional access and lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of diverse and progressive pathways for learners in further and higher education is a key strategic goal I am progressing. For example I have rapidly expanded Tertiary programmes which allow a student to begin a degree course in further education, before transitioning on to complete their degree in a higher education setting. As of Budget 2026, €4m per annum is allocated towards the development of tertiary programmes.
Entry to tertiary programmes is outside the CAO system, providing an alternate pathway to a degree for individuals who may not have received the requisite points for a course they are passionate about. The tertiary pathway also aims to increase access to higher education for those who are excluded from the traditional pathway, particularly the priority access groups outlined in the National Access Plan such as mature students. Students spend their first year or two studying in their local Education and Training Board (ETB), with no fees, smaller class sizes, and additional supports.
In September 2023, the first intake of tertiary programmes commenced, with 152 students enrolled on 13 programmes. 2024 saw an increased intake with more than 220 students embarking on 19 degree programmes. For 2025/2026, 471 students are enrolled on 38 courses - double the previous year.
I recently announced that this year, 78 tertiary degree programmes, with more than 1,200 places, are available across 24 counties - this is a 70% increase on last year, giving more people than ever the opportunity to access higher education. Ff these programmes 32 are available for the first time. These include new courses in life sciences, business, technology, the digital and creative arts, health and social care, and primary initial teacher education.
All 13 ETBs now offer tertiary pathways in collaboration with 12 higher education partners. MIC, TCD, and UCD will be offering their first tertiary pathways this year. There are now tertiary pathways available in every region in Ireland, in areas of high regional skills need.
272. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to strengthen Ireland's research and innovation capacity in response to increasing international competition for research investment and talent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35624/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has secured €1.08 billion under the current Horizon Framework Programme and remains on track to meet the national target of €1.5 billion. Building on this progress, an Action Plan of targeted measures will further strengthen Ireland’s engagement with Horizon Europe and future Framework Programmes. Informed by stakeholder insights, the Plan provides a focused, forward-looking framework to build capacity, address barriers and enhance participation across the research and innovation system.
The Government has delivered a significant increase in research and innovation investment, reaching €1.16 billion last year. This will be further reinforced through the INSPIRE programme, which will strengthen national research infrastructure. In addition to support for high-performance computing and the Tyndall National Institute, at least €500 million will be invested across two INSPIRE streams: local institutional infrastructure, including routinely used teaching and research equipment, and shared advanced infrastructures, involving large-scale equipment shared across institutions and with external users.
I have also launched the Global Talent Ireland initiative to attract leading international researchers. Managed by Research Ireland, the programme has an initial annual budget of €8m, with further scaling planned – to support research grants, start-up costs and infrastructure. By recruiting mid-career Rising Stars and established Research Leaders, it will strengthen Ireland’s research capacity and deliver system-wide benefits.
Our national success under the Horizon Europe programme, together with investments like the INSPIRE and Global Talent Ireland programmes, form part of our broader commitment under Impact 2030, as we strengthen Ireland’s research and innovation capacity in an increasingly competitive global environment.
273. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered to ensure that rapidly growing regional populations are matched by adequate higher and further education infrastructure, apprenticeship provision and student supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key priority for my Department is to support balanced regional development by ensuring that higher and further education and training provision keeps pace with population growth and regional skills needs.
Through sustained capital investment, my Department is strengthening the capacity of Universities, Technological Universities and Education and Training Boards across the country. The Sectoral Investment Plan for the Tertiary Sector 2026–2030, published in December 2025, sets out my Department's key capital investment priorities to ensure infrastructure development aligns with demographic growth and regional demand.
My Department is taking a comprehensive, regionally balanced approach to expanding education provision. This includes expanding tertiary pathways, enabling students to begin their studies locally through Further Education and Training (FET) and progress to higher education. For 2026/27, 78 tertiary programmes with over 1,200 places are available nationwide, including 33 healthcare pathways accessible in every region.
The Government is also delivering one of the largest expansions of healthcare education capacity to date, supported by a €28.5 million investment in 2026. Alongside this, sustained investment of over €300 million in Technological Universities, alongside the approval of professorships positions is strengthening regional capacity, access and regional economic development.
The FET Strategy: Creating Futures 2026–2030 emphasises the importance of a responsive and agile FET system that can adapt to changing demographics and labour market needs. This is reflected in increased FET funding, which has risen from approximately €555 million in 2019 to €1.08 billion in 2026.
Apprenticeship expansion remains a key Government priority. Since 2020, apprentice registrations have increased by 78%, alongside a 40% expansion in the number of apprenticeship programmes. This expansion is supported by €415 million in apprenticeship funding in 2026 and a comprehensive range of supports for apprentices and employers.
Student supports continue to be provided through the Student Grant Scheme and the Part Time Fee Grant Scheme, which is administered by SUSI, for eligible students attending approved courses in approved institutions.
274. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all capital projects, including further and higher education campus, ETB and research infrastructure projects, delivered under the remit of his Department which have been completed on time and within budget in Galway in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35661/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In that context, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines and cost management, all fall within the remit of the HEIs/ETBs and not DFHERIS.HEIs and ETBs are autonomous institutions with responsibility for the oversight, planning and management of their capital development plans.
My Department does not hold information on a constituency basis. However, for the Deputies convenience, I have attached a list of the major capital projects completed by higher and further education institutions since 2020 which serve the area(s) referred to.
275. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht with regard to the awarding of the management of the Seniors Alert programme to the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service if he can confirm whether all procurement procedures relating to the award of the contract were conducted in full compliance with National and EU public procurement rules; if any deviations have been identified; and the actions have been taken in response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35542/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra276. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he has been made aware of any concerns that recruitment and/or procurement outcomes within the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service were effectively predetermined; and if his Department has carried out any review of these concerns; if he will publish the results of any such investigation in the public interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35544/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra277. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the details of the governance and oversight mechanisms in place for the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service contract and whether these mechanisms were independently verified and if any failings have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35546/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he can confirm if any conflicts of interest statements were requested from individuals involved in decision-making processes relating to the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service and whether any conflicts of interest were identified and how they are being addressed or did the applicant organisations identify any conflict of interest any members of their management may have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35548/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra279. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a full breakdown of all public funds allocated to the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service to date, including staffing, consultancy and operational costs; and the value-for-money review that has been conducted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra280. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he is satisfied that proper records and documentation exist for all key decisions relating to recruitment, procurement and governance within the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service and if any gaps or irregularities have been identified. [35552/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will commit to carry out a review of the concerns raised in the correspondence submitted by TASK Ltd in March 2026 concerning the Age Friendly Ireland Shared Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35554/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280 and 281 together.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase, by a registered community-based organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant and one year of monitoring.
The scheme has an allocation of €3.2million in 2026, with additional support from the 2026 Dormant Accounts Fund. Expenditure to date in 2026 under the SAS initiative has been €1.99million.
Since the scheme was launched in 2015, almost 165,318 participants have been approved for the alarms, including over 17,700 in 2025.
My Department has reviewed all aspects of the Seniors Alert Scheme, including the technology and services available, and I hope to launch of a new iteration of the scheme later in 2026.
The new iteration will be administered by Age Friendly Ireland, on behalf of my Department. It is anticipated that this will add significant value to the overall delivery of the Seniors Alert Scheme into the future.
Age Friendly Ireland (AFI) is a local government shared service that is hosted by Meath County Council on behalf of all 31 local authorities. AFI has a coordinator in each local authority area and is well placed to provide the additional wrap around supports that older people may require to assist them to continue living independently in their own homes.
A competitive procurement process for devices to be made available under the new iteration of the Seniors Alert Scheme is currently live and, therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this element of the Scheme. It should be noted that no decision has been made yet regarding this procurement and that the process is being managed by Meath County Council.
As a local government shared service, AFI is subject to standards of governance, oversight and accountability as set out in the relevant regulations and legislation and as overseen by NOAC, LGAS and other statutory bodies.
I can confirm that there is a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place between my Department and AFI in relation to the administration of the Seniors Alert Scheme which defines the service to be provided and the level of performance that is expected.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280 and 281 together.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages community support for older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase, by a registered community-based organisation, of a personal alarm or pendant and one year of monitoring.
The scheme has an allocation of €3.2million in 2026, with additional support from the 2026 Dormant Accounts Fund. Expenditure to date in 2026 under the SAS initiative has been €1.99million.
Since the scheme was launched in 2015, almost 165,318 participants have been approved for the alarms, including over 17,700 in 2025.
My Department has reviewed all aspects of the Seniors Alert Scheme, including the technology and services available, and I hope to launch of a new iteration of the scheme later in 2026.
The new iteration will be administered by Age Friendly Ireland, on behalf of my Department. It is anticipated that this will add significant value to the overall delivery of the Seniors Alert Scheme into the future.
Age Friendly Ireland (AFI) is a local government shared service that is hosted by Meath County Council on behalf of all 31 local authorities. AFI has a coordinator in each local authority area and is well placed to provide the additional wrap around supports that older people may require to assist them to continue living independently in their own homes.
A competitive procurement process for devices to be made available under the new iteration of the Seniors Alert Scheme is currently live and, therefore, it would not be appropriate to comment further on this element of the Scheme. It should be noted that no decision has been made yet regarding this procurement and that the process is being managed by Meath County Council.
As a local government shared service, AFI is subject to standards of governance, oversight and accountability as set out in the relevant regulations and legislation and as overseen by NOAC, LGAS and other statutory bodies.
I can confirm that there is a Service Level Agreement (SLA) is in place between my Department and AFI in relation to the administration of the Seniors Alert Scheme which defines the service to be provided and the level of performance that is expected.
282. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will provide a list of all capital projects — including those delivered under LEADER, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, CLÁR, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and Údarás na Gaeltachta programmes which have been completed on time and within budget in Galway in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35656/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department implements a wide range of schemes that have supported thousands of individual capital projects throughout the country in recent years.
Details in relation to supported projects are available on my department’s website.
Across these schemes, projects are delivered by a range of lead bodies who have responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of projects. My department is in ongoing engagement with lead bodies to support efficient and effective delivery of projects. These lead bodies include local authorities, local development companies, and LEADER Groups.
For CLÁR, the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, and the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme, the scheme terms and conditions generally set out indicative completion dates of around 18-24 months. However, the Department works with lead bodies, to monitor delivery and shows flexibility where it is needed to ensure projects are delivered for communities.
For these schemes, funding approvals are generally granted in the form of maximum agreed grant amounts, with any cost overruns beyond the final agreed amount either met by the applicant or through agreed changes to the project that reduce costs to remain within the agreed amount without significantly impacting the project.
Under the LEADER programme, Local Action Groups (LAGs) receive a multi-annual funding allocation to support projects in their own LEADER area. Grant contributions towards individual projects are approved and monitored by LAGs in each area, and no additional funding is provided by the Department above the approved project allocations. This rural development programme is available in rural areas of Galway, outside of Galway city.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) supports large scale and ambitious capital projects. It is typically expected that approved projects would have a lifecycle of up to 5 years from funding application, through the design and planning process and to construction completion.
Údarás na Gaeltachta manages an extensive capital programme across its building portfolio to foster enterprise and sustainable employment within Gaeltacht regions. Additionally, the authority secures strategic investment through schemes like the RRDF and REDF to deliver large-scale infrastructure projects.
The details requested by the Deputy in relation to the schemes referenced are listed in the attached tables. The tables cover the years 2021-2025 and any project completions submitted to my department to date in 2026.
