Emer Currie (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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1658. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider expanding social care qualifications through the Springboard+ initiative for staff working in Section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30161/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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A new funding Call for Proposals for Springboard+ 2025 was run earlier this year and I approved the list of selected courses for funding. The 2025 courses were officially launched on 27th May.

Springboard+ funded courses are selected as part of a rigorous competitive process. The courses chosen for funding as part of this process are in areas where there are identified skills shortages and therefore, available employment. The process is overseen by an independent Process Auditor (PA). The selection of skills areas to be included in the Call for Proposals is informed during a consultation process with multiple stakeholders across enterprise and business representative groups, industry and various government agencies, including the Regional Skills Fora.

As part of the consultation process in advance of this year’s Call, the social care skills area was not highlighted by stakeholders as requiring significant investment in terms of new courses and as such, proposals for courses in this area did not feature significantly in the proposals received from course providers. However, as Springboard+ is funded through the National Training Fund (NTF) there is a strong focus on the skills requirements of enterprise. In line with Programme for Government commitments, the Government is considering whether and how to expand the skills categories that can avail of the NTF to include sectors such as healthcare and education.

There are, however, some approved courses in health and welfare that may be of interest to those working in Section 39 organisations (details attached).

It is important to note that these workers may apply for any of the 249 Springboard+ 2025 funded courses available, provided they meet the published eligibility criteria. Complementary skills areas of health & safety, workplace-based resilience, leadership and management may also be suitable for reskilling and upskilling opportunities, with several courses funded in these skills areas.

Springboard+ 2025 courses at levels 7 to 9 are fully funded for eligible unemployed participants, returners and formerly self-employed individuals, while employed learners receive 90% funding at these levels. Level 6 courses are fully funded for all participants and micro-credential courses are 50% funded for all learners, regardless of employment status.