Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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837. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to update on the development of an appropriate governance framework for the new FET College; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27270/25]

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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838. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to update on the work of officials within his Department on agreeing a detailed blueprint for FET provision in the FET College of the future driving integration, consolidation and specialisation of existing provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27271/25]

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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839. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to update on whether the management and reporting structures for the new FET College have been finalised; and if not; when does the Minister expect this to be done. [27272/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 838 and 839 together.

As outlined in the National Further Education and Training (FET) Strategy 2020-2024, key to successful development of the sector will be the evolution of FET facilities and provision into distinct integrated FET Colleges of the Future, that can enable community-based learning excellence, fundamental in meeting the skills needs of regional economies and in developing the future workforce of Ireland.

To support the FET colleges of the future programme my department has commenced work to develop a blueprint for the FET College of the Future.

The FET College of the Future will provide for an operating model that incorporates the functions of both colleges of further education and training centres, enabling FET provision that is targeting easier access, has simplified pathways, offers a consistent learner experience, and has a stronger identity. A blueprint will set out guiding principles to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) for these integrated FET Colleges including governance and reporting structures.

Central to advancing this reform work is the harnessing of appropriate senior technical expertise from the sector. To that effect, as of 31st March 2025, my Department has appointed a FET College Technical Expert via secondment form the sector for a period of two years. The technical expert will assist officials in my Department in developing the FET College of the Future blueprint, working closely with relevant sectoral stakeholders.

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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840. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on the work of his Department in the development of a long-term sustainable funding model for tertiary programmes allowing learners to complete further education degrees in a higher education setting. [27273/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Tertiary programmes, first established in 2023, are a new form of third level provision allowing a learner to complete the first year or two of a Bachelors degree in an ETB before moving on to complete the degree in a higher education institutions. The programmes are in a three year pilot phase, with the third intake in September 2025 marking the beginning of year three.

Representatives from my Department sit on the National Tertiary Office's Tertiary Funding Review group which examines funding issues in tertiary provision and the development of a long-term sustainable funding model. This group is composed of representatives from the NTO, the HEA, SOLAS, this Department, the HEIs, the ETBs, and the Tertiary Coordinators.

The National Tertiary office is commissioning an evaluation of tertiary provision which will examine the outcomes of the pilot phase and make recommendations as to how these programmes can best be embedded in the third level landscape in a sustainable manner.

Decisions on the long-term funding model for these programmes will be informed by this evaluation, as well as by the recommendations of the Tertiary Funding Review group.

Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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841. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on the implementation of the TrustEd Ireland international education mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Reply not received from Department.