Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1268. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of further education and training places in 2024, and the estimated cost of increasing the number of places by 1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, Further Education and Training (FET) includes a wide range of courses and programmes, from Level 1 to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications. This encompasses everything from part-time, basic literacy courses to full-time, resource intensive programmes such as apprenticeships.

SOLAS has advised my officials that the level of engagement, as well as the cost per place, varies substantially depending on the programme. Consequently, it is not possible to give an accurate annual cost of expanding FET by a specific number of places.

However, as a high-level exercise and for illustrative purposes only, SOLAS have provided an average course cost of €8,500 per learner. The Deputy should note that the actual cost will depend on the specific course being undertaken and the duration of the course.

I hope this information gives the Deputy a sense of what increasing the number of places in FET by €1,000 could potentially cost but also the limitations of making any such estimates.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1269. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total number of free part-time further education and training courses; if there are plans to expand the number of free part-time courses; if so, the proposed increase; the estimated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24370/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Further Education and Training (FET) sector, under the remit of SOLAS as the statutory agency, plays a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, accessible education and training opportunities nationwide. FET provision is designed to be flexible and responsive, particularly for those balancing education with work or caring responsibilities. A wide range of part-time and modular programmes are available, enhancing accessibility and supporting diverse learner pathways. Most of FET provision is free or heavily subsidised including eCollege which hosts a range of free online courses available anytime.

According to SOLAS’ publication FET Facts and Figures 2023 published on its website, there were 218,775 learner enrolments in FET courses in 2023. Of these learner enrolments, the distribution of enrolments was higher among part-time courses (64.7%), than full-time courses (30.1%), with a small percentage (5.1%) also undertaking online courses.

For 2024, SOLAS has advised my officials that over 570 part-time modules were completed benefiting over 204,000 learners in a multitude of different disciplines in 2024.

In terms of costings, SOLAS has advised my officials that the level of engagement, as well as the cost per place, varies substantially depending on the programme. Consequently, it is not possible to give an accurate annual cost of expanding the number of free part-time courses. I would note that investment in FET has increased from circa €840 million in 2020 to over €1 billion (excluding capital) in 2025. This investment has supported growth in the FET sector in recent years. Between 2022 and 2023, the FET learner base expanded by approximately 17%. In 2024, 439,000 individuals - equivalent to one in ten adults in Ireland - engaged across all FET provision i.e. full-time, part-time and online programmes, as well as apprenticeships and construction safety courses. This represents growth of 4.5% on the previous year.

Finally, it is important to note that I have no role in the day-to-day operational management of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who deliver FET courses. Decisions regarding the scheduling, delivery, and expansion of courses are matters for each individual ETB, considering their budgetary envelope, local priorities, and the specific needs of their communities.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1270. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total budget allocation to SOLAS in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24371/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund (NTF) to deliver Further Education and Training programmes and services by the 16 Education and Training Boards and other agencies throughout the country.

The table below sets out the allocation to SOLAS in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as requested. The annual allocation to aegis bodies is included in the Agency Statements as part of the Revised Estimates Volume for Public Services.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1271. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the financial supports available for adult learners; if his Department has any plans to expand the financial supports on offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24372/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In Further Education and Training (FET), courses are free or heavily subsidised. My Department also provides direct financial supports to eligible learners.

Adult learners in receipt of a social welfare payment transfer to a FET training allowance when participating on FET courses. The rate of the FET training allowance will depend on an individual’s social welfare payment. A learner aged 25 or over and in receipt of Job-seeker's Allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance when they commence a course in FET, their payment is suspended from the Department of Social Protection, and they receive a FET training allowance of the same amount, which is currently €244 per week on average for a single person.

Where applicable, a learner may also keep any secondary benefits, such as a medical card or travel pass. FET learners with an underlying entitlement to a social welfare payment may be entitled to fuel allowance, Christmas bonus or other one-off payments linked to their previous social welfare status. The recent Cost-of-Living measures such as those announced in Budget 2025 were applied to FET learners with an underlying social welfare entitlement. Some learners may not get a training allowance but retain social welfare, for example, those in receipt of Illness Benefits or One-Parent Family Payments.

Additional payments for dependants, and supplementary allowances for food, travel and accommodation, may also be available. Either an accommodation or travel allowance is payable, but not both.

Some Education and Training Boards have a Learner Assistant Fund to provide additional support to learners facing hardship.

Learners on Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses are not eligible for training allowances but, if eligible, may qualify for SUSI maintenance grants of up to €7,586/year.