Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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74. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the work of his Department to encourage participation in social work and social care qualifications to greater empower Tusla, given the organisation's shortage of staff. [27061/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Our health and social care professionals are vital to so many of our public services, advocating for the most vulnerable in our society. Ensuring we have a sufficient supply of social work and social care professionals is a priority for my Department.

That is why I was delighted to recently announce the launch of two new pathways in social work which will both increase the number of people training as social workers, and open up the profession to a broader range of people than ever before.

These pathways are:

- An apprenticeship in Social Work, allowing apprentice social workers to “earn while they learn” as they gain on-the-job practical experience and a level 9 Social Work qualification; and

- A Social Work tertiary degree programme, co-delivered by University College Cork and Cork Education and Training Board, allowing learners to access this undergraduate degree outside the CAO system.

Supported by the National Tertiary Office and the National Apprenticeship Office, these programmes are taking a big step forward in encouraging participation in Social Work qualifications, allowing individuals with a broad range of life experiences to access a career that allows them to make a positive impact on the lives of others. My Department will continue to work to encourage the development of new and innovative pathways to allow people to train in vital areas such as social care and social work.

My Department is committed to working with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and the Minister for Education to further progress this work.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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75. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 23 May 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the review by Solas and his Department of the project proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27064/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Galway Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for the construction of a new FET College of the Future on a site owned by GRETB adjacent to its Mervue Training facility was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now in the next stage of the process – the development of a Preliminary Business Case. The development of a robust business case is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.

The proposal put forward by GRETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.

SOLAS and officials from my department met with all twelve ETBs including GRETB, in recent weeks to discuss their proposal in the context of relevant regional and national FET policy objectives. GRETB are now working on refining their business case proposal to ensure it will deliver on their priority infrastructure requirements that will meet the needs of their current and future learners and staff.

Once business cases are updated and submitted, they will be evaluated by SOLAS and my department. Those proposals that meet the required evaluation criteria will move to the next stage of development, which is the Pre-Tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage.

SOLAS and my department will continue to work closely with GRETB in supporting them through this proposal development phase.