John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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1431. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if consideration will be given to supporting and funding further QQI-certified training programmes specifically designed for members of the deaf community, given that a charity (details supplied) has successfully trained the first two deaf individuals in Ireland through the City and Guilds programme, and continues to provide essential training such as manual handling, fire training, circular economy and first aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49146/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is committed to ensuring that all learners have access to the supports they need to engage meaningfully with education and skills development – contributing to personal, community and national growth.

There are a range of further education and training (FET) opportunities funded by my Department, via SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), specifically designed for learners from the Deaf community. SOLAS funds a range of specialist organisations, including the Irish Deaf Society, to provide FET services directly to learners and to support ETBs to enhance their FET services.

In addition, any charity or organisation can apply to their local ETB for the Reach Fund, which administers the fund locally, subject to meeting certain eligibility criteria. The Reach Fund support local projects with online learning, to connect communities, and to provide social supports to the most vulnerable groups including people with disabilities. In 2025, my Department has invested over €4.5 million to support 700 community groups including:

• Deaf Village Ireland to provide classes through ISL and online training for hearing staff and adult learners on integration, accessibility and inclusion.
• Galway Deaf Centre to promote access to the arts while preserving Deaf history and culture.
• Chime to provide ISL interpreters in ETB-run community education classes.