Written answers
Tuesday, 1 July 2025
Department of Education and Skills
Further and Higher Education
Jen Cummins (Dublin South Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context
865. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware of the current proposal to split Erasmus+ into a standalone mobility programme and a skills chapter of the competitiveness fund; the Irish position on this; the discussions that have taken place on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35205/25]
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The Erasmus+ programme is the EU's programme to support education, training, youth and sport activities throughout Europe.
The objectives of the Programme are organised under three Key Actions:
- Learning mobility of individuals;
- Cooperation among organisations and institutions; and
- Support to policy development and cooperation.
The current programme runs from 2021 to 2027 and is funded under the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) which also runs to 2027.
The European Commission is expected to make its proposal on the next MFF in the coming weeks (around the middle of July). It is also expected that the Commission will make its proposals with respect to the programmes which may be funded under the framework at the same time or soon after.
Once proposed by the Commission, the review process with the Council and then the Parliament will commence.
At this point the Commission has not made a proposal with respect to the next Erasmus+ programme and as such there have been no discussions between the Commission and Member States on this matter.
It would not be appropriate for me as the Minister to comment on speculation on what may be proposed at this point in time.
Paul Lawless (Mayo, Aontú)
Link to this: Individually | In context
866. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills what the current administration, teaching, instructor and management grades are in further education and training; what circular letters, if any, correspond to each of these grades; and what the associated pay scales are (for example, CL 44/99 for VTOS co-ordinator); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35314/25]
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
The Department of Education and Youth’s (DEY) Circular Letter 0017/2025 lists all grades employed by Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in Further Education and Training (FET), other than teachers and SNAs. As per Section 19 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, DEY issues Circulars relating to grades other than teachers and SNAs employed by ETBs.
There are more than 60 circulars applicable to these grades, covering a broad spectrum of issues, for example, Payment of Tool Allowances to Craft Workers, Carers Leave, Career Breaks, Changes to Domestic Subsistence Rates, Analogous Grades, Incremental Credit, and so on. Further information is available on: www.gov.ie/en/circulars/
Current pay scales for staff employed by ETBs in FET are included in:
- Circular 0017/2025, “Revision of Salaries and Allowances of Certain Grades other than Teachers and SNAs employed by ETBs under The Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026 effective from 01 March 2025 and Circular 0015/2025”, and
- Circular 0015/2025, “Revision of Teacher Salaries under the Public Service Agreement 2024 – 2026. Application of pay adjustments with effect from 1 March 2025”.
Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
867. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if financial support is available to Irish citizens who chose to complete a third level degree abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35460/25]
James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. In relation to support available for students studying abroad, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State or the UK.The Scheme does not extend to PLC courses or postgraduate study pursued outside of Ireland nor does it extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.
The Deputy may wish to note that tax relief may be available at the standard rate of tax in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
No comments