2026-05-12

161. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to improve access to higher education in regional areas, particularly in the midlands; and if additional funding is being allocated to institutions serving these regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34802/26]

It is a high priority for me and my Department to support the development of high-quality and accessible tertiary education systems that reflect the full diversity of Irish society and ensure that all learners can access and successfully complete their education. Since the establishment of the first technological university in 2019, the Department has prioritised targeted investment of over €300 million in technological universities to ensure structural, high quality, inclusive education, training, research and innovation across the regions. As part of this funding, last year, my Department announced the targeted enhancement fund, which delivered €65.8 million for the technological sector and publicly funded specialist colleges. ATU operates nine campuses across the northern and western region. As of now, it is a region in transition, but thankfully, it is being reclassified as a more developed region. However, due to its lagging status, ATU was allocated €10.5 million from this fund over the next two years. The Deputy is particularly interested in the Technological University of the Shannon, TUS. It was the third technological university to be established and the first cross-regional technological university, with its main campus in Athlone. Since its establishment, it has considerably assisted higher education access, growing regional development and providing more opportunities to students, staff, business and enterprise, and local communities, serving communities in counties Westmeath, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Offaly. TUS has been allocated €6.3 million from this fund over the next two years. As the Deputy can see, this is a significant investment that is improving access to higher education in Offaly and the midlands.

I thank the Minister of State. Improving access to higher education in regional areas is critical, not just from an educational perspective, but also from a social and economic perspective. The Minister of State spoke about the great work that is being done by TUS and also Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board, LOETB, in its third level exploits in Offaly. Too often, students in regional counties face barriers that are less pronounced in larger urban centres. Cost-of-living pressures, accommodation shortages and travel distances can make access to higher education significantly more difficult for families. It is important that students feel they can pursue further and higher education opportunities without feeling they must leave their communities permanently in order to succeed. I welcome the important role being played by TUS and the work being done by LOETB. However, it is important to note that Offaly still has very limited direct access to third level education provision, although excellent work has been done locally through LOETB. I am passionate about improving the situation and ensuring that students and families in Offaly have greater access to opportunities. Will the Minister of State outline what additional investment is planned for our area?

I am pleased to say that the midlands are well served by Technological University of the Shannon because it offers students from Offaly and surrounding counties high-quality university education. What I am talking about in particular today are the tertiary programmes. They offer students the opportunity to begin a course in further education before transitioning to complete their degree in higher education. We have invested €4 million from budget 2026 towards the development of these programmes. In 2026 and 2027, Laois and Offaly ETB will be offering four tertiary pathways, in partnership with SETU and TUS, in programmes including business, technology and nursing. Students on these courses can spend the first year of study in their local education and training board before transitioning to higher education, with no fees, smaller classes and additional support while they are in the ETB.

Regional education provision is not just about access to courses. It is also about supporting balanced regional development and ensuring that talent can be trained within communities. Will the Minister of State outline how the Department is ensuring that regional institutions are properly resourced to compete, grow and respond to emerging skills needs, particularly in areas linked to technology apprenticeships and further workforce demands? How will the Department measure whether progress is genuinely being made in improving regional access to higher education over the coming years? While the tertiary courses are absolutely fantastic and brilliant, we would like to have an outreach in Offaly from somewhere like TUS that is providing third level education for people who want to participate in third level in their home towns to avoid the cost of having to pay for accommodation by moving away and avoid the cost of transport by travelling on a daily basis, and to make sure that we have that offering in Offaly in order that they do not have the burden of the extra costs.

I hear what the Deputy is saying. Tertiary education is a great pathway. It is such an opportunity for students. It is not within the CAO system, so it allows students to access tertiary education. They can start in their local ETB and, if they like, progress on to further education in third level institutions. That is available to students across the country - in Offaly just as well as anywhere else. TUS and SETU are the Deputy's main partners in all of this. That is where the third level institutions are. Of all the locations I visited in the country, the one that impressed me the most when it came to tertiary education was the national construction training campus in Mount Lucas. To me, that is a standout initiative. It offers training in areas like modern methods of construction and near-zero energy buildings. That is an example of regional education provision. It is so important for the region the Deputy represents.