Data, research and statistics held by the department

Education Indicators for Ireland presents a comprehensive set of educational indicators for the education system in Ireland, including further and higher education and lifelong learning. The report is published every year, together with the Department of Education.

The latest report:

• updates indicators up to the academic year 2022 to 2023, where possible
• examines how the education system has progressed from 2018 to 2022

Find demographic projections for third-level education in Ireland.

The latest report gives demographic projections for admissions to in state-aided third-level institutions. The report covers 2021 to 2040. It models 4 different scenarios, which make different assumptions about transition rates and international students.

The goal of spending reviews

Spending review papers help increase the evidence to be used in policy-making in the Civil Service.

The papers have:

• expanded the available range of data sources
• developed cooperation between Government departments
• assessed the efficiency of public expenditure
• influenced strategies and policy reform

Demographics in the Higher Education Sector, 2022

We have published a spending review on Demographics in Higher Education sector, with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

This paper examines:

• updated full-time student demographic projections for the higher education sector
• funding implications of these projections
• other demand factors that influence enrolments into higher education

A Summary Comparison of Structures to Support the Knowledge Economy

This paper provides:

• a summary of the initial impacts of coalescing further education and skills, higher education and research and innovation
• alternative options for meeting the above challenges

DFHERIS Research Priorities 2023 - 2024

This paper highlights the research intent and priorities of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) and its agencies for 2023. It includes research funding calls, ongoing activity and research publications.

Find information on the key datasets held by the department, why they are held and what they are used for.

Find information and access open data held by the department.