From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Patrick O’Donovan TD and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education Niall Collins TD have announced a major capital and funding package for tertiary education, and measures to reduce the cost of education and tackle cost-of-living pressures.
As part of Budget 2025, Government has agreed a total National Training Fund (NTF) funding package of €1.485bn over a 6-year period (2025-2030) for the tertiary sector. This will include:
Budget 2025 will see a total budget of €4.543 billion for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and measures to reduce the cost of education and tackle cost of living pressures include:
In addition, improvements to the Student Grant Schemes effective from September 2025 include:
Further measures include:
Speaking today, Minister O’Donovan said:
“Budget 2025 marks a significant milestone for the entire Further Education, Higher Education and Research sector with an investment of almost €1.5 billion over the next six years.
“This Budget addresses the core funding gap in Higher Education raised as part of Funding the Future, pledging €50 million this year from the National Training Fund, and rising by a further €100 million by 2030. This is something the Higher Education sector has been crying out for, and Government has listened.
“Budget 2025 will deliver major infrastructure projects, provide learners with world-class equipment and facilities, and address the core funding challenges at the heart of Higher Education.
“This is the type of rolling investment and commitment the sector needs, and one that will deliver not just for students of today, but for learners of the future.
“This year we are also continuing our efforts to reduce the cost of education and ensure that a third-level education is accessible to everyone in society, no matter what their background is.
“That’s why I’m delighted that we have been able to increase standard rate maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds by 15 per cent, while also putting more funding towards student accommodation projects, increasing the Rent Tax Credit to €1,000 and delivering on our promise to increase PHD stipends to €25,000 per year.
“We are also aware that businesses are in desperate need of a skilled workforce today, so I am proud to announce €20 million has been released from the NTF for a skills package that will increase investment in employment focused skills and training assisting and enhancing competitiveness and productivity of businesses.
“Also, under this stream of funding is €5 million for meeting existing and future construction and green skills needs. This is significant in terms of meeting this Government's ambitions to meet Housing for All and climate action targets.”
Minister Collins said:
“This Budget marks yet another significant step forward in our goal of delivering for students, learners, and educators right across the country.
"I am also thrilled to see an investment of €77 million for the national apprenticeship system, representing the single largest core funding increase for apprenticeship since the formation of this Department.
“We expect the craft apprenticeship system to grow to 6,800 registrations in 2025 and this funding will go a long way to making sure that the skills requirements of industry, particularly the construction sector, are met, while also growing consortia-led apprenticeships, developing cross border apprenticeships, and delivering pathfinder initiatives that will enable the transition to a single national apprenticeship system.”