Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a quota on the number of higher education places in publicly funded institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.

Bodies such as SOLAS's Skills and Labour Market Research Unit and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have a key role in assessing and forecasting for the skills and talent needs in an economy being transformed by digitisation and the decarbonisation imperative. The analysis which they carry out is central to informing responsive programme planning across the tertiary system; and flexible and innovative responses to changes in the world of work, such as the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) and Springboard+.

This agility and flexibility is further underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.

While these policy initiatives can help drive the creation of additional provision in key skills areas, the number of places available in any given course is determined by individual higher education institutions, in line with their capacity and with reference to student demand as well as regional and national skills needs.

Many of the skills highlighted by graduate employers as being the most sought after are not industry-specific, but are rather transversal skills such as analytical thinking, collaborative working and the ability to self-motivate and these skills can be developed through a wide variety of programmes.

My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure that Ireland produces the graduates the workforce needs with the flexible and adaptable skillset that our economy and society requires.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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114. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the distribution of the devolved capital grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26610/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Since 2021, the Department has disbursed just over €96m in funding for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years under the Devolved Capital Grant to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and eligible higher education institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated to individual institutions in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study.

In April this year I announced €8 million in capital devolved funding for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector and I will be shortly announcing the funding available for the Higher Education Institutions.

The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to ETBs and eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works (including health and safety works, access works, refurbishment, energy upgrades etc.) and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT. It is a matter for individual ETBs and higher education institutions to determine what works are prioritised.

In deployment of the grant, each ETB and higher education institution must ensure value for money, clear prioritisation and demonstrable impact on the capacity to deliver on its strategic goals.

Our third level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate objectives and these funds will assist with making energy upgrades. It will also ensure our campuses are inclusive and accessible. The funding can be used to make the necessary upgrades to make campuses accessible for people with disabilities.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
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115. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to expand the list of courses that are taught through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26712/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Higher Education Authority Act, which was enacted in October 2022, requires that higher education institutions promote the Irish language. As autonomous bodies, each higher education institution is responsible for its Irish language strategy, including the expansion and teaching of university courses through the Irish language.

The Department distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority for disbursement directly to designated higher education institutions through a block grant. The internal allocation of this funding, including expenditure on Irish-language education initiatives, falls to the individual institution.

My Department sponsors the Conradh na Gaeilge initiative, ‘Gníomhaí Gaeilge’ which is run in conjunction with the Union of Students of Ireland. It offers Irish language clubs and societies with skills and mentorship in developing the use of the language within Higher Education.

Under the auspices of the Minister and Department for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media, there is a goal to ensure improved public services through the Irish language. This is done through the Act's provisions and regulations that apply to all public bodies under the Act.

Ultimately, however, Higher Education Institutions (HEI) are autonomous, and determine themselves which Irish-language courses will be offered. While my Department will continue to be committed to the implementation of the Official Languages Act, it is not within my remit to direct a HEI as to the courses they offer.