Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
927. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of further education and training opportunities available to young persons on leaving school, including leaving school early, in Arklow, County Wicklow. [53234/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther Education and Training (FET) opportunities available to young people in Arklow are provided primarily through Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB), with learners also benefiting from access to a wide range of further and higher education options across Wicklow, the wider South East and the Greater Dublin Area.
For young people completing second-level education, Arklow Further Education and Training Centre provides a range of full-time and part-time QQI-accredited programmes designed to support progression to employment, apprenticeships, further education and higher education. The centre delivers programmes from QQI Levels 2 to 6 and offers vocational and skills-based courses in areas such as Healthcare Support, Business Administration, Digital Skills, Computer Applications and Special Needs Assisting. Guidance and learner support services are also available to assist learners in identifying and pursuing appropriate progression pathways.
For young people who leave school early, Youthreach Arklow, based within Arklow Further Education and Training Centre, provides an alternative education and training pathway for early school leavers aged between 15 and 20 years. The programme combines education, training and work experience and supports progression to further education, apprenticeships and employment. Participants can work towards nationally recognised qualifications, including QQI Level 3 Employability Skills and QQI Level 4 General Learning awards, while developing personal, social and vocational skills in a supportive learning environment.
In addition to provision available locally in Arklow, young people can access a broad range of KWETB programmes across County Wicklow and neighbouring counties, including Post-Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses, traineeships, apprenticeships, specific skills training and other QQI-accredited programmes. Improved transport links and the availability of flexible and blended learning options mean that learners are not limited to opportunities within their immediate locality and can avail of programmes that best match their interests and career aspirations.
Young people in Arklow also have access to a substantial range of higher education opportunities within commuting distance, including institutions in Wicklow, Dublin, Carlow and Waterford. These institutions offer a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across disciplines including science, technology, engineering, business, healthcare, education, the arts and the humanities. Progression from FET to higher education is supported through established pathways, enabling learners to advance from further education programmes into higher-level qualifications where appropriate.
My Department, through SOLAS and KWETB, continues to support the delivery of accessible, flexible and high-quality Further Education and Training opportunities, while also promoting progression routes into higher education. This ensures that young people in Arklow and the wider South Wicklow area can access a broad spectrum of educational and training pathways that support lifelong learning, skills development and sustainable employment.
