Ministers Lawless and Harkin reflect on the first half of 2025
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Ó: An Roinn Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 4 Lúnasa 2025
- research investment of €190 million
- membership of CERN secured
- legislation drafted to amend the National Training Fund (NTF) Act that will unlock €1.5 billion funding package
- launch of the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan
- six major infrastructure projects under of Higher Education Public Private Partnership delivered on time and on budget. Five more under construction
- €4.55 billion capital allocation under the National Development Plan
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless and Minister of State Marian Harkin have reflected on some of their department’s key achievements in the first half of this year.
Since January, the department has made major strides with extensive investment across its areas of responsibility including research and innovation, quality education, access to education and skills and apprenticeships.
Minister Lawless said:
“I’m very proud of the work my department has done so far in 2025. We have worked in line with department’s strategic priorities and invested heavily in research and innovation, education and infrastructure. But most of all we are opening doors for, and investing in, our people, who have always been Ireland’s greatest natural resource.”
Minister of State Marian Harkin, who holds special responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeships, Construction, and Climate Skills said:
“In our short time in office, we’ve made real progress in shaping our further education provision to deliver immediate, tangible benefits to people’s lives. Initiatives like Modern Methods of Construction are enabling Ireland to build more efficiently and sustainably. I have seen, at first-hand, how the wide range of innovative learning opportunities being offered across the country is having a transformative impact on individuals and communities alike.”
The department has overseen research investment of more than €190 million including €23 million funding for early career researchers across 36 projects that includes tackling climate misinformation and investigating surface microplastics release from daily-use plastic products.
Some €98 million was provided for the launch of three ARC (Accelerating Research to Commercialisation) Hubs across HealthTech, ICT and Therapeutics. These hubs will help fast track the commercialisation of scientific research.
Minister Lawless secured Dáil approval to proceed with associate membership of CERN, which is expected to begin officially in October. Membership of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, will allow Ireland’s researchers to participate in CERN programmes and make Irish citizens eligible for staff positions and fellowships.
Ireland signed the European Quantum Pact in June and together with the other EU Member States, will now cooperate to support the development of a world-class quantum technology ecosystem across Europe.
Minister Lawless also obtained government approval for the drafting of legislation to amend the National Training Fund (NTF) Act that will unlock the funding package of €1.5 billion, including €650 million core funding package for Higher Education, €600 million capital uplift to enable skills development and €235 million for the tertiary sector.
Bundle one of Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme delivered six major infrastructure projects on-time and on-budget for education institutions across the country. Minister Lawless also turned the sod on bundle two, comprising of five more buildings. When completed the Programme will deliver 72,800m² of additional space and support approximately 8,500 new student places.
The Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF) of almost €66 million to support the development of HEIs (Higher Education Institutions) in the technological sector and specialist colleges was also announced.
In addition, up to 320 additional Health and Social Care student places will be created in nine key areas: Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Radiation Therapy, Radiography, Podiatry, Social Work, Medical Science, and Dietetics. A further 141 places will be delivered in subsequent years.
Some 38 tertiary courses launched in May for application this year, twice the number of the previous year while Aircraft mechanic training places also doubled. The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme has been expanded from 62 courses to 111 for the new academic year.
In her role as Minister of State with responsibility for construction, Minister Harkin was on hand as the Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) Action Plan was delivered which will enable faster construction as part of the government's Housing-for-All policy. Already in 2025, 120 projects have received assistance under Adult Literacy for Life Strategy.
More than €2.8 million was assigned to help promote inclusion in higher education environments across the country via the Inclusive Environment Fund. That funding will support students who may face additional barriers to engaging in higher education, such as students with disabilities and ethnic minority students.
More recently, the department secured €4.55 billion capital allocation for the period up to 2030.
“We’ve made a great start but what’s important is that we keep delivering for our learners and researchers,”
Minister Lawless concluded.