Minister Lawless welcomes Council agreement on next Erasmus+ Programme
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From: Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
- Published on: 11 May 2026
- Last updated on: 11 May 2026
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has today welcomed agreement at the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council on a Partial General Approach (PGA) on the proposal for the next Erasmus+ Programme for the period 2028 to 2034.
The agreement marks an important milestone in negotiations on the future of one of the European Union’s most successful and impactful programmes.
Minister Lawless said:
"I warmly welcome the agreement reached by Member States today. This is a very positive step forward and provides a strong basis for engagement with the European Parliament.
"This progress is particularly timely as Ireland prepares to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union on 1 July. We will build on this momentum and work constructively to advance this important file in the next phase of negotiations."
The Council was also attended by Minister for Education and Youth, Hildegarde Naughton TD, who said:
"Erasmus+ continues to create life-changing opportunities for young people across Ireland and Europe. It helps learners develop new skills, broaden their horizons, and build lasting international connections.
"I welcome today’s agreement, which reflects a strong commitment from Member States to ensuring the next Erasmus+ Programme remains ambitious, inclusive, and responsive to the challenges facing young people and education systems across Europe.
"The continued emphasis on inclusion, mobility, skills development, and lifelong learning will help ensure that even more learners and youth organisations across Ireland can benefit from the Programme in the years ahead."
Erasmus+ has delivered significant and lasting benefits for Ireland. Since the programme began in 1987, Ireland has been an active participant, with nearly 65,000 higher education students from Ireland benefiting from Erasmus+ opportunities, while approximately 130,000 students from across Europe have come to study and work in Ireland.
Participation has continued to grow across all sectors under the current programme, from higher education to further education and training, youth and sport. Irish institutions and organisations consistently highlight the transformative impact of Erasmus+, both for individuals and for institutions that become more outward-looking, innovative and internationally connected.
The proposed Programme for 2028–2034 reflects a continued evolution beyond traditional student mobility, supporting skills development, institutional cooperation and lifelong learning across education and training systems.
It places a strong emphasis on developing skills for the digital and green transitions, as well as expanding flexible lifelong learning opportunities, including through microcredentials. The Programme also continues to support deeper collaboration between institutions, including through initiatives such as the European Universities alliances, in which many Irish higher education institutions are actively engaged.
Key elements of the proposal include new opportunities to strengthen cooperation across education sectors and targeted supports to address skills needs in strategic areas.
The proposed integration of the European Solidarity Corps is a welcome and positive step, creating a more coherent and accessible programme that combines learning mobility and volunteering opportunities. A strong focus on inclusion will be essential to ensure Erasmus+ continues to benefit learners with fewer opportunities.
As incoming President of the Council of the European Union, Ireland will play a central role in advancing negotiations with the European Parliament in the months ahead.
Minister Lawless said:
"Erasmus+ has had a profound impact on Irish learners and institutions over many years. Today’s agreement provides a strong platform to build on that success, and I look forward to Ireland playing an active role in progressing this important work during our Presidency."
Notes
Pictured at today's Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council in Brussels are Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD and Minister for Education and Youth Hildegarde Naughton TD.
