Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I understand the Minister is coming to visit Galway this week. I assure him he will be most welcome.

Over the past three years, the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board, GRETB, has grown significantly. In 2022, there were 17,000 beneficiaries. In 2023, there were 20,000 beneficiaries. In 2024, there were 24,000 beneficiaries. This shows the level of growth in the demand for services and educational investment, which must be matched by investment in facilities and infrastructure.

Across our 40 centres, we need fit-for-purpose buildings that reflect the quality and ambition of our services. Without them, we limit access and the potential for learners across our region. A business case for a further education and training, FET, college was submitted in January this year. The proposed flagship campus in Galway will deliver a full college experience, enabling the expansion of programmes and apprenticeships that current facilities simply cannot accommodate.

In my constituency of Galway East, FET is delivered in Headford, Tuam, Dunmore, Athenry, Loughrea, Gort and Portumna. Some of the buildings in those institutions are outdated and unsuitable for education. Some use prefabs that are 20-odd years old or repurposed structures that are no longer fit for modern needs. In 2024 alone, over 4,700 learners accessed those FET locations, yet we continue to expect students to learn in these facilities long past their functional use. GRETB is doing all it can to maintain these spaces but the capital investment available falls far short of what is required. That is unacceptable for learners, communities and the future of FET.

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