Education and Training Boards
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-05
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Charlie McConalogue (FF), Donegal

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, who apologises for not being able to be here in person.
By way of background, Ireland’s 16 ETBs provide free ESOL classes for those who need support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL. In some ETBs, ESOL courses are also linked to career areas such as healthcare, hospitality and childcare. Since February 2022, demand for ESOL programmes provided by ETBs has risen sharply. This follows the start of the war in Ukraine. For comparison, in 2021 a total of 9,095 learners were enrolled in ESOL provision across the 16 ETBs. Last year, 30,630 learners enrolled in ESOL. The numbers have more than tripled.
Through SOLAS, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides funding to support delivery of FET programmes, including ESOL, across the 16 ETBs. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities and local enterprise. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the Department provided significant temporary funding to ETBs to support ESOL provision. This funding was essential in meeting the immediate language needs that arose during the initial response. The Minister wishes to acknowledge the commitment, creativity and flexibility shown by ETBs and their staff in responding to this rapid increase in demand. Their efforts have offered vital support to people fleeing the war, helping them feel welcomed and to begin to settle into life in Ireland.
The Minister extends sincere thanks to ETBs and their staff for their dedication. While this temporary funding enabled a rapid expansion of classes across the sector, it was always intended to be time limited. It supported the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians as they began integrating into Irish communities. The Department has now moved towards a more sustainable long-term model. As this emergency allocation has now concluded, and in line with budget 2026 parameters, ESOL funding has returned to its 2021 level.
To be clear, ESOL classes have not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered in Waterford and Wexford and across all ETBs. Waterford and Wexford ETB has assured the Minister that more than 2,000 learners are currently actively engaged in ESOL courses delivered by their ETB which will continue to completion. Waterford and Wexford ETB's initial plans for 2026 include longer ESOL programmes for approximately 2,100 learners, alongside ESOL courses supporting an estimated 400 learners as part of its wider further education and training provision. This demonstrates that ESOL provision remains fully operational across the region.
The demand for ESOL remains strong and continues to grow in some areas. Waterford and Wexford ETB is working closely with SOLAS, local integration partners and community organisations to ensure that provision is targeted towards those with the greatest need and that learners are supported to progress into further education, training and employment. The ETB remains committed to maintaining accessible language learning opportunities and will continue to review provision as part of its planning for the 2026 academic year.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-05/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-05