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Press release

Minister of State Marian Harkin welcomes strengthened investment in Further Education and Training under the revised National Development Plan

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Marian Harkin, has welcomed the announcement and finalisation of the revised National Development Plan (NDP), describing it as:

"a significant milestone in advancing strategic investment and long-term planning for Ireland’s further education and training sector."

The revised NDP reaffirms the government’s commitment to education as a driver of opportunity, inclusion and economic resilience. It ensures continued capital investment to meet the evolving needs of the Further Education and Training sector across Ireland.

Minister of State Marian Harkin, with responsibility for Further Education, Apprenticeships, Construction and Climate Skills, said:

"The revised NDP with funding of €4.55 billion allocated to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to the further and higher education sector, particularly in providing accessible and flexible pathways for people to develop skills, pursue further education and training, and move towards sustainable employment."

She highlighted that:

"this investment will help to meet the growing demand for construction workers required to deliver the expanded pipeline of national projects that are central to the delivery of housing as outlined in the revised NDP."

Minister Harkin concluded:

"My department’s emphasis on expanding the number and range of apprenticeships especially in the areas of construction and green skills will play a central role here and combined with the drive to embed modern methods of construction in our apprenticeship courses, we hope to see an acceleration of construction delivery in the next number of years."