Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied that sufficient courses in cybersecurity are available in the further and higher education sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30736/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The cybersecurity sector is vital in underpinning and securing much of our modern society, and I recognise the importance of ensuring sufficient provision across the further and higher education sectors.

The latest data from the HEA shows that, across the higher education sector, there were 35 courses available in cybersecurity in nine different State-funded universities in the 2022/23 academic year.

Skillnet provides a wide number of enterprise-led cybersecurity upskilling programmes to businesses within the technology and broader sectors. In 2023, Skillnet Business Networks provided cybersecurity training to over 620 businesses and 1,200 participants.

Under Springboard+ 2024 and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1, 13 courses offering 392 places in cybersecurity are available in nine different institutions for the academic year 2024/2025. These courses are free or heavily subsidised and are at Level 6 to Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.

The Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy was launched on 12 March 2024, with an allocation of €9.7 million under the HCI Pillar 3 to subsidise fees on micro-credential courses. These courses, ranging from 1 to 30 ECTS and spanning Level 6 to Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications are small, accredited courses designed to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and society. A subsidy rate of 80 per cent for courses addressing skills in key priority areas and all other courses will provide a 50 per cent learner subsidy rate. The subsidies offer learners a unique opportunity to access high-quality education at reduced rates, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and upskilling. There are ten courses available in cybersecurity with a subsidy rate of 80 per cent offering 226 places.

The HCI Pillar 3 Cyber-Skills project, led by Munster Technological University, aims to develop unprecedented collaboration between higher education institutions at a national scale. The objective of this project is to address skill shortages in cybersecurity by providing tailored pathways and micro-credentials. To date, the project has established a Cyber Range, a virtually controlled, interactive training environment simulating security incidents and has engaged various partners like the National Cyber Security Centre and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.

My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure learning opportunities are available and access to the skills our economy requires is provided. My Department and I will work closely with other Departments and stakeholders with the objective of advancing cybersecurity.