Grace Boland (Dublin Fingal West, Fine Gael)
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1248. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to increase education and training of new planners, including upskilling and conversion courses for professionals with relevant suitable experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23611/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your question, and for the opportunity to outline the work my Department is doing to support the education and upskilling of planners and related professionals.

The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is acutely aware of the increasing demand for skilled professionals involved in the planning and delivery of housing and infrastructure. Along with other professionals, planners play a key role in achieving targets under Housing for All, the National Development Plan, and the Climate Action Plan.

Recent labour market intelligence, such as the National Skills Bulletin, has identified planners as among the construction-related occupations that are proving difficult to recruit. This reflects a broader trend of capacity constraints in the sector.

The Department is addressing this challenge through a range of actions as part of its wider response to skills needs for the built environment. This includes the development of the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan, which I will be bringing to Cabinet shortly and which recognises the need for specific training for professionals involved in planning, design, and delivery. Partner engagement carried out to inform the Action Plan noted that upskilling is required across the workforce, particularly regarding the installation and sequencing of MMC projects and compliance with relevant building regulations.

Training recommendations also emphasise the inclusion of MMC-specific content in third-level curricula for construction-related programmes, with early planning and design integration highlighted. Actions are underway to bring together higher education institutions, training providers, and professional bodies to support curriculum reform and professional training for roles that intersect with planning.

In addition, an Initial Consortium Steering Group is developing a Level 8 apprenticeship in Spatial Planning. The consortium is working with the coordinating provider, Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), and plans to submit an Initial Application to the National Apprenticeship Alliance in due course.

Furthermore, the Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine the establishment of an all-island skills taskforce with a focus on planning, construction, and infrastructure development, reflecting the strategic importance of this profession in national policy implementation.

Once again, I would like to thank you for your interest in the development of Ireland’s planning workforce and the opportunity to outline the many initiatives underway to address this.