Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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277. 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; whether he is aware of the cuts to class provision and the cuts to adult education teaching positions such as in GRETB as a result of this removal of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28999/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to supporting a Further Education and Training (FET) system that helps individuals succeed, boosts economic growth, and prepares our workforce for the challenges and opportunities ahead, while fostering stronger communities. This commitment is underpinned by a significant investment – overall investment in the FET sector remains strong, with almost €1.1 billion in core funding provided by my Department to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to deliver a wide range of education and training programmes in 2026. Notwithstanding this commitment, responsibility for planning and delivering provision within the allocations agreed by Government rests with SOLAS and, subsequently, with the individual ETBs who are autonomous statutory bodies, accountable through their Boards for decisions on funding allocation and staffing within their approved budgets.

The 16 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, there was an unprecedented and immediate increase in demand for ESOL provision. In response, the Government made significant temporary funding available to meet urgent and exceptional levels of demand during the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians (Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection) in Ireland. This additional ESOL funding was always intended to be time-bound. In line with the fiscal parameters for Budget 2026, ESOL funding has now reverted to its core pre-2022 allocation of €4.2 million. This does not represent a reduction in the overall core FET budget, nor does it mean that ESOL provision has ceased. ESOL continues to be delivered nationally by all 16 ETBs including in Galway and Roscommon ETB as part of their core provision. Galway and Roscommon ETB forecasts that approximately 3,100 beneficiaries will access ESOL provision in 2026, according to its draft Annual Service Plan. However, I appreciate that the end of temporary supports is challenging for some ETBs. Furthermore, I recognise that this wider context is of little comfort to those whose livelihoods are affected.

The FET sector operates with a degree of flexibility in staffing, including the use of fixed-term contracts, to allow ETBs to respond to changing education and training needs. ETBs are the employers of their staff, and responsibility for staffing decisions - including recruitment, contract duration, and the granting of Contracts of Indefinite Duration (CIDs) - rests with each ETB, subject to employment legislation and any required consents or approvals. 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. I understand that many staff who were hired by ETBs 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.