Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he plans to provide further and higher education counselling through his Department for young adults seeking to progress into further education, outside of the current structures provided through third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56055/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I recognise that access to accurate, accessible, and impartial career guidance is critical to supporting learners as they plan their education and career pathways.

In addition, it should be noted that career guidance counselling at second level is also key, and this is under the remit of my colleague, Minister McEntee.

Building on the findings of the Indecon Review of Career Guidance (2019) and the recommendations of the OECD Review of Ireland’s National Skills Strategy (2023), my Department is taking forward a range of initiatives to improve information and guidance across the tertiary system.

Following extensive stakeholder engagement and research, a gap in careers information for those in the workforce was identified. It is planned that a series of sector-specific portals will be developed to address this gap. This approach will enable more coherent, user-centred access to information for learners, workers, and employers. Work is already underway, in collaboration with Skillnet Ireland, to embed career coaching for those in employment in sectors at risk of change, through their enterprise networks.

In parallel, my Department continues to progress the Programme for Government commitment to create a single, accessible information platform for tertiary education pathways. Building on enhancements to CAO.ie, which now links to FET and apprenticeship resources, officials are mapping existing information sources to identify gaps and strengthen coherence across Qualifax, SUSI, and Apprenticeship.ie.

While my Department does not directly provide individual counselling services, it continues to lead system-wide reform to ensure that all learners - whether in school, employment, or seeking to return to education - can access clear, consistent, and high-quality guidance.