10. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new resources from budget 2026 allocated specifically to further education and training provision, community education, Youthreach and community training centres; the capital and current funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55972/25]

Sentiment score: 0.15

I would like to ask the Minister about specific allocations in the budget for further education and training, community education, Youthreach and community training centres. These programmes play a vital role in inclusion, lifelong learning and skills development, yet they operate with limited resources. Could the Minister please outline the new resources, capital and current, that are being allocated and explain how these will strengthen local provision for further education?

Sentiment score: 0.44

It is wonderful to see the amount of money going into all that which the Minister of State outlined. It is much needed. I am concerned, however, for three parts, one of which is capital budgets for buildings. The Minister of State has visited many different places around the country. As she knows, I have worked in education for a very long time, and I have been to see adult education centres, Youthreach programmes and community training centres that are working out of buildings that really need to be retrofitted. They are cold, old and draughty. Capital investment in this area is important to make sure learners, teachers and staff are well supported. The other thing I am interested in is ring-fencing resources for those organisations. The fantastic courses that are provided in each of these centres need to be accompanied by resources, such as 3D printers, to facilitate upskilling all the time. I am just using that as an example, but it is about ring-fencing resources in particular. I will come back in on pay and conditions.

Sentiment score: 0.20

I am a bit concerned that the FET aspect will only be finalised in the future. FET sometimes is forgotten, and it is such an important part. The Minister of State talked about inclusive education. FET is a form of education that enables social mobility. People entering into FET often come through community and adult education. We need to make sure that is not forgotten. With regard to pay and conditions, the last point I want to raise is that for Youthreach and community centres, even though they are valued, there is no additional funding. I know from working on the ground that there is a difficulty with funding, particularly for community training centres. I am on the board of one such centre. It has windows that are in bits, and it is draughty. That capital expenditure is important, but so are the pay and conditions for those staff members who still have not been brought into the public sector. It is really important that when we have all these millions and billions of euro, the nitty-gritty on the ground has to be addressed, particularly for staff members because they cannot teach vulnerable learners if they are not protected in their employment.

Sentiment score: 0.01