Claire Kerrane (Roscommon-Galway, Sinn Fein)
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1224. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if additional supports will be provided for individuals undertaking construction related training and upskilling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23250/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank Deputy Kerrane for her question, as well as for the opportunity to update her on the work my Department is doing in this area.

Ensuring that individuals have the opportunity to access high-quality construction-related training and upskilling is a key priority for the Department. In recent years, we have significantly expanded the range of supports and programmes available to meet the evolving needs of the construction sector, particularly as we work to meet our national housing, retrofitting and infrastructural targets.

A growing range of courses is now being delivered nationally to support the greater adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC). These methods will play a central role in accelerating the pace of housing delivery. My Department works closely with sectoral partners including Laois–Offaly Education and Training Board (LOETB), who have adopted MMC as a strategic priority. Through this collaboration, accredited and flexible training opportunities are being made available across the country. These include introductory and short courses on MMC fundamentals, sustainability, digital technologies, and nearly zero energy building standards, as well as more advanced programmes in BIM, construction project management, and off-site construction.

Many of these courses are delivered online or in flexible formats, increasing their accessibility for learners with work or family commitments. In addition, several fully accredited qualifications are now offered as part of the MMC Skills Pathway Portfolio, including traineeships and modular programmes that align closely with industry needs.

LOETB is also working with industry partners to pilot employer-based training models, including traineeships in modular and off-site construction.

The National Retrofitting Plan sets a target of installing 400,000 heat pumps into existing homes by 2030. Through their work with other departments and State agencies, my officials identified the shortage of skilled plumbers as a critical factor in achieving this target.

With this in mind, heat pump technologies have been included in the revised plumbing apprenticeship curriculum, thus ensuring that apprentices have familiarity with these new technologies. In order to upskill and qualify as a heat pump installer, those who have completed a National Craft Certificate can enrol in additional upskilling courses targeted towards heat pump installers.

These upskilling courses are currently provided in five locations – two in the Higher Education sector (Atlantic Technological University and Dundalk Institute of Technology) and three in the Further Education and Training Sector, through the network of NZEB/Retrofit Centres of Excellence, at Laois and Offaly ETB, City of Dublin ETB and Waterford and Wexford ETB.

To further support upskilling and reskilling in this area my Department introduced a pilot FET sector heat pump incentivisation scheme in 2024. This provides plumbers with a cash incentive of up to €500 in recognition of the time they take off work to upskill as SEAI-registered heat pump installers through ETB-delivered courses. Although the training programmes are free, by helping to offset opportunity costs, the pilot scheme aims to allow small and medium-sized contractors (including self-employed contractors) to upskill their staff, gain extra capacity in an area of huge demand, and help plumbers to future-proof their careers.

Further to this my Department has been working with the tertiary sector to develop the skills required to support the green transition – from developing transferable green skills for life to specific requirement for emerging key green sectors such as Nearly Zero Energy Buildings/ Retrofit

Last October, SOLAS launched Green Skills 2030: The First National Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy for the Green Transition. Green Skills 2030 identifies key skills gaps impacting Ireland’s ability to transition to a climate neutral society across critical sectors of the economy.

Upskilling and reskilling courses in Nearly Zero Energy Buildings/ Retrofit for construction workers are offered in a network of six Centres of Excellence operated by ETBs across the country. These centres provide training and certification to learners to boost the skills and training needs of the sustainable construction sector and to help reach our climate goals.

There has been significant interest in this space, with the number of enrolments increasing year on year. There have been over 14,000 enrolments in NZEB/ Retrofit courses since the first centre opened in 2020. 2024 saw a record-breaking number of 7,166 enrolments and this success has continued into 2025. NZEB/ Retrofit skills are also being incorporated into the curricula of relevant construction apprenticeships through the revalidation process.

The courses are free, fast and flexible with weekend and evening provision available. In many cases, where a person has an existing construction-related qualification, knowledge or experience, they can learn these skills quickly, usually within three-four days. Courses for beginners are also available.

The National Construction Training Campus in Mount Lucas also provide a one day tailored introductory programme for Transition Year and Leaving Cert students to give them a better understanding of NZEB principles while using a mixture of practical skills and theory.

The Department remains committed to working with training providers, employers, and learners to ensure that supports are in place to meet the growing demand for construction skills. This includes the continued development of new courses and qualifications, as well as ensuring access through flexible and inclusive delivery models.

Once again, I would like to thank Deputy Kerrane for raising this important question and for her continued interest in the Department’s work to expand and strengthen construction-related training and upskilling supports.

Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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1225. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the financial supports available to a person (details supplied); the options open to them to assist them in their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23268/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2025. Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis, such as the Portobello College, are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes. A student attending a private college which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations 2025 would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme 2025.

However, it is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.

I would advise any student to make direct contact with the institution that they plan to attend to consider what supports may be available.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie