Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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575. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale for removing the ringfenced allocation of €20 million for the provision of English language classes (ESOL) across the ETB network; if he is aware of the cuts to class provision and the cuts to adult education teaching positions as a result of this removal of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21754/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund (NTF) to deliver Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and other agencies throughout the country.

All 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide free English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes for those who needs support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL. In some ETBs, ESOL courses are also linked to career areas such as healthcare, hospitality, and childcare.

Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, significant temporary funding was allocated to support ESOL provision for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. These temporary allocations enabled ETBs to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians in Ireland.

In 2023, a temporary allocation of €25 million was provided for ESOL. In 2024, the allocation was €15 million, with a further €10 million allocated through the Supplementary Estimates. In 2025, €20 million was again provided on a temporary basis. I wish to acknowledge the fact that ETBs and their staff showed significant commitment, flexibility and creativity in responding to this unprecedented demand, and their efforts supported thousands of newly arrived individuals in integrating into Irish communities.

ESOL funding was always intended to be time-bound and, in line with the fiscal parameters for Budget 2026 and the ending of temporary funding, ESOL funding has now reverted to its pre-2022 core allocation of €4.2 million. While I acknowledge that that temporary ESOL funding has now concluded, there have been no cuts to overall funding.

It is also important to note that ESOL provision has not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered across all ETBs within their core allocations.

ESOL programmes are typically delivered by ETB staff employed under existing grades and terms. This includes tutor roles and the newly established Adult Educator grade. Many delivery staff in the FET sector, including some ESOL tutors and adult educators, are employed on fixed-term contracts. This supports an agile FET system that can respond to changing local education and training needs. These contracts are managed in line with employment law, including the Fixed-Term Work Act 2003.

Under Section 9 of the Act, an employer may not keep an employee on a fixed term contract for more than four years. Employment beyond this requires a Contract of Indefinite Duration, or CID. This applies to all ETB staff except those on teacher contracts.

Many ETB staff who were hired to meet the increased demand after the war in Ukraine have not yet reached the four year threshold for eligibility for a CID under employment law. ETBs, as employers, are responsible for the management of staffing matters, including the issuance of CIDs, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals as may apply.

SOLAS and Education and Training Boards Ireland have been engaging with ETBs in recent months to assess the impact of the cessation of temporary funding supports. SOLAS has advised that ETBs are considering how best to adapt provision within their core allocation.

SOLAS has advised my officials that it is establishing a working group to examine the impacts of the transition away from temporary funding and to explore approaches to maximise ESOL provision within the annual allocation of €4.2 million. Provision for ESOL is relevant across several government departments, and several departments also fund community based ESOL programmes nationally. My officials have also been engaging with these departments since ESOL funding has reverted to the core annual allocation. Should a more coordinated cross departmental approach to ESOL provision emerge, my Department will work to support that process.

It is the responsibility of SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to plan their provision within the allocation agreed by Government. As the statutory authority for FET, SOLAS is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector, including to individual ETBs. This function is carried out independently of my Department and my office. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities, and local enterprise.