Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD and Minister of State for Further Education, Apprenticeship, Construction and Climate Skills Marian Harkin TD have announced over €39 million in devolved capital funding for Ireland’s 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). This funding includes an increased standard Devolved Capital Grant of €12 million for 2026, up from €8 million in 2025, which will allow ETBs to carry out small-scale building works, maintenance, health and safety upgrades, accessibility improvements, refurbishment projects, and equipment modernization including ICT. The additional funding is designed to help ETBs manage project costs amid rising construction inflation, material and labour costs, and supply chain challenges.
The overall allocation also includes €7 million earmarked for specific purpose projects, enabling ETBs to purchase high-end equipment and expand Skills to Advance Micro Qualifications across multiple providers nationally. This investment will support upskilling in sectors such as biopharmaceuticals, MedTech, construction, green skills, and other industries requiring specialist equipment. Minister Lawless emphasized that the grants demonstrate confidence in ETBs to manage devolved funding effectively, prioritize maintenance, and enhance learning environments while ensuring value for money.
In addition, the Green Devolved Capital Grant will see €8 million allocated for 2025 and an increased €12 million for 2026 to support energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiatives across FET buildings. Minister Harkin highlighted that this funding will help ETBs reduce energy-related greenhouse gas emissions by 51% and improve energy efficiency by 50% by 2030, through measures such as advanced electricity, gas, and water metering systems across 568 FET buildings. These steps form part of the broader decarbonisation strategy for the FET sector in line with the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate.
The funding, provided under Project Ireland 2040, will be distributed to ETBs through SOLAS. Avril Behan, Director of FET College of the Future at SOLAS, welcomed the funding, noting that it will support the implementation of Universal Design to advance inclusion, improve safety and quality of facilities, and enable systematic sustainability initiatives across ETB estates.
In total, the combined Green Devolved Capital Grant and standard Devolved Capital Grant for 2025 and 2026 amounts to over €48 million, with allocations reflecting the scale of each ETB. An additional €7 million Devolved Grant will support targeted projects, including high-end equipment for Skills to Advance Micro Qualifications, training and upskilling for construction and green skills, and upgrading equipment for the life sciences and MedTech sectors. SOLAS will collaborate with ETBs to disburse these funds based on local needs and strategic priorities.
