Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2621.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans for capital investment this year in a further education college in Louth (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32763/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not been made aware of any plans to develop Further Education College, ó Fiaich Institute, Dundalk, Co. Louth. However, my Department is willing to work collaboratively with all higher education institutions and Education Training Boards on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans.

Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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2622.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans to replicate a centre in Dundalk (details supplied) in County Louth, around the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32765/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the FET Strategy: Transforming Learning 2020-2024 recognises that there is a need for further development of skills specialisms by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to meet Ireland’s critical skills needs such as the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) highlighted by the Deputy. In addition to the AMTCE, there are already many examples of this, with particular ETBs specialising in areas modern methods of construction, energy, and EV mobility. As part of nationwide development of FET Colleges of the Future, both through investment via the College of the Future major projects call and through each ETB’s Strategic Performance Agreements, a range of national and regional Centres for Specialist Skills Development are currently under consideration or being advanced.

A national network of Centres of Excellence for Nearly Zero Energy Building/ Retrofit skills training has been developed to support the National Retrofit Plan. Six Centres of Excellence are operated by Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board, Cork Education and Training Board, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board and City of Dublin Education and Training Board. The Centres offer short, targeted upskilling and reskilling courses for both beginners and those who already have relevant experience/knowledge. Enrolments continue to rise year on year, with total enrolments for 2023 (4,452) over double those for 2022 (2,034).

In November 2023, then Minister Harris announced the launch of a project office within Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board, to support the development of a National e-Mobility Capability Centre. The national centre will complement EV training currently offered by private providers and motor dealerships, ensuring that the FET sector is able to deliver as the number of EVs increases, and as they are encountered by a range of mechanics and technicians beyond the licensed dealerships. It will also allow for the upskilling and reskilling of existing mechanics. The project office is undertaking a Technical Feasibility Study to determine the optimal arrangements for the establishment of the centre. The study is scheduled for completion by Q4 2024.

In relation to construction skills, the National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas, under Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), offers a vast range of training and testing services in construction related areas. These include a Retrofitting and NZEB Centre of Excellence, programmes tailored for employed and unemployed learners, the national scaffolding apprenticeship and a skilled utilities operator traineeship.

The National Construction Training Campus has also been chosen as the ‘flagship’ location for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). The development of MMC skills in the construction workforce, and the wider adoption of MMC by industry, is a key pillar of the Government’s approach to increasing innovation and achieving productivity gains in the delivery of housing.