Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1065. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on the pathway to designation as a higher education institution by the higher education authority; if any applications for designation were received; the timeline for a designation application to be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17103/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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When the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 was commenced, sixteen higher education institutions were automatically designated. These higher education institutions are the seven traditional universities, the technological universities, the institutes of technology, the National College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also provides for a designation by order process which allows other higher education institutions to apply for designation. However, these provisions have not yet been commenced.

Work has commenced on developing the designation by order process, including initial consideration of the conditions for designation. This is a complex process, involving liaison with the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure the new designation process fits seamlessly within the higher education system. It is planned to make considerable progress on the development of the designation by order process and regulations during 2025, with the aim of commencement of the designation by order process in 2026.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1066. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role QQI play in the designation of institutions as higher education institutions by the HEA and if QQI can recommend institutions for higher education designation. [17104/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 commenced with sixteen higher education institutions automatically designated (the seven traditional universities, the technological universities, the institutes of technology, the National College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland).

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also provides for a designation by order process which allows other higher education institutions to apply for designation. Work has commenced on developing this process and the conditions for designation - it involves liaison with the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and other stakeholders.

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (S.54) sets out the over-arching process for designation by order when the relevant provisions of the Act are commenced. Under this process a higher education provider may make an application to the HEA for designation and the HEA may request from and use information from QQI as part of the assessment process. The HEA may appoint an advisory panel, that may include national and international experts having a special interest in or expertise in, or knowledge of, matters relating to higher education and have regard to advice given by that panel with respect to whether a higher education provider meets the conditions prescribed for designation. The HEA following the assessment process will provide an opinion to the Minister on whether the higher education provider meets the conditions for designation. The Minister will then make a decision on whether to designate the higher education provider.

QQI may be involved in the designation process by providing information to the HEA and being a member of the advisory panel but the full details of the process are currently being developed.

Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Aontú)
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1067. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a statement on the eligibility criteria for funding under the national training fund (NTF); if funding will be restricted to higher education institutions, and if so why; and when institutions can apply for funding under the NTF. [17105/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The National Training Fund (NTF) was established by the National Training Fund Act, 2000, as a dedicated fund to support training of those in employment, and those seeking employment. Section 7 of the Act provides for the NTF to be used to fund schemes, which are established to:

• raise the skills of those in employment,
• provide training to those who wish to acquire skills to take up employment, or
• provide information in relation to existing, or likely future, requirements for skills in the economy.

Expenditure from the NTF is not restricted to higher education institutions. In 2025, over €1 billion is allocated from the NTF to fund 18 schemes across ten Government Departments, agencies, business, and Community and Voluntary organisations such as the Department of Social Protection, Enterprise Ireland, IDA and The Wheel. In line with the provisions of the NTF Act, the audited accounts of the NTF are laid before the Oireachtas every year.

SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) account for over 90% of NTF expenditure. In 2025, circa €343 million is allocated to the HEA to deliver apprenticeships, Springboard+ courses and other third level education programmes through higher education institutions.