Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will intervene to increase adult education classes provided through Cavan Monaghan ETB. [25829/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I fully understand the importance of adult education and its ability to empower individuals, enhance their learning and provide new opportunities. These courses also serve as important social outlets for participants.

As Minister, I have no role in the day-to-day operational management of Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which are independent statutory bodies. It is the responsibility of each ETB to plan and deliver services throughout the year, subject to their available budget and local needs.

As the State agency responsible for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, SOLAS allocates funding to 16 ETBs and other agencies to deliver FET programmes, based on agreed targets including learner numbers. For 2025, SOLAS has allocated €37.292m to Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB)for the delivery of FET and Apprenticeship programmes. This is an increase of €2.266 million (6.5%), on CMETB’s initial 2024 allocation.

Cavan Monaghan ETB has advised my Department that a total of 15,977 learners were supported through FET courses in 2024, with 8,316 of these learners participating in Adult Education courses. CMETB also advised that there are a wide range of these courses already underway in 2025, in areas such as Adult Literacy, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Skills to Work and Back to Education Initiative (BTEI), with further provision planned throughout the year.

Overall, my Department has significantly increased the investment in further education and training by nearly €250 million over the period from 2020 to 2025.