Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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3336. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills despite an increased investment in SOLAS for the FET sector of 37% since 2020 and with an allocation of over €1 billion in 2025, the reason his Department is making cuts in SOLAS funding by his Department, resulting in contracts for adult educators not being renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41478/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not cut SOLAS’ funding. As the Deputy noted in her question, investment in SOLAS and the FET sector has increased by 37% since 2020 with an allocation of over €1 billion in 2025. The allocation of funding to individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs) is a matter for SOLAS, in line with its statutory remit under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. As the statutory authority for Further Education and Training (FET), SOLAS is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector.

In line with its functions set out in the Education and Training Board Act of 2013, it is the responsibility of each Board to plan and deliver services throughout the year, subject to their available budget and local needs.

Turning to the issue of adult educators, a proportion of FET delivery staff are on fixed-term contracts to ensure an agile FET system that can respond to dynamic local training, education and community needs. Such staff are managed within the parameters of employment law including the Fixed Term Workers Act (2013) and Circular 0065/2017 (Implementation of Agreement in respect of Tutors employed by Education and Training Boards). Hours included in Contracts of Indefinite Duration (CIDs) are in accordance with Section 9 of the Fixed Term Workers Act (2103). Circular 0065/2017 sets out arrangements under the Act in respect of tutors and adult educators, including renewal of successive fixed-term contracts. Individual ETBs are the employers, responsible for staffing and related matters, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals from time-to-time.