Fine Gael commits to investment in education to protect our economic progress

Fine Gael has today (Wednesday) shared a strategy for investment in education and apprenticeships, to ensure a highly skilled workforce on which our continued economic and social success depends.

Fine Gael’s plans will see increased investment in our schools, more college places for vital therapies, and the scrapping of Student Fees and apprenticeship registration charges.

The availability of a highly skilled and talented workforce is a corner stone of the economic success secured by Fine Gael in Government. Investment in education and skills ensures we will maintain and improve the productivity and competitiveness of our economy into the future. More importantly, it will provide a skilled workforce to meet the needs of our growing and ageing population.

Fine Gael will:

• Explore ways to recognise teaching experience gained abroad in salary calculations, attracting qualified teachers back to Ireland
• Double the number of college places in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy
• Abolish the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government
• Increase maintenance grants annually and reform SUSI to better meet the needs of all third level students
• Abolish any registration fees associated with taking on an apprenticeship to incentivise more people to choose this learning pathway
• Triple the number of third-level pathways outside the Leaving Certificate points system ensuring students can pursue higher education without limitations from their Leaving Cert points
• Increase course options for people at any career stage who want to upskill, supporting lifelong learning across all sectors
• Increase provision of student-specific accommodation

Minister for Further and Higher Education Patrick O’Donovan said:

“As global uncertainty remains high and the potential for a transatlantic trade shock looms we must continue to ensure the future of our economic security by investing in our education system from our primary schools through to lifelong learning.

“Fine Gael will provide schools and teachers with the resources and support they need to focus on quality education and student well-being.

“Over the lifetime of the Government, Fine Gael will abolish the Student Contribution Fee, continue to increase maintenance grants annually, and reform SUSI to better meet the needs of all third level students.

“Crucially, we will also focus on apprenticeships, ensuring they are accessible and responsive to the needs of our economy. We will do this by growing apprenticeship registrations to 12,500 by 2030 and abolishing apprenticeship registration fees incentivising more people to choose this learning pathway. We will also expand apprenticeship options to include more healthcare disciplines, ensuring the healthcare sector has the skilled workers it needs.

“Availability of accommodation is key to ensuring all students can access the education they want. Our accommodation plan will deliver 2,500 new student beds each year through a multi-annual plan to increase availability.”

Speaking about the need to support every student to reach their potential, Minister O’Donovan said:

“Fine Gael is committed to working with families to ensure their children receive an education appropriate to their needs and with the resources to help them flourish.

“If Fine Gael is returned to office, we will build on the strong progress already made, by doubling the number of therapist places at third level.

“We will create a dedicated fund to support students with disabilities in higher education, helping people fully participate in their studies and find employment after graduation. We will deliver a structured, nationwide system for providing Personal Assistants in third level institutions, replacing the current inconsistent approach.

“Ensuring every young person can reach their potential is a core value of Fine Gael, which is why our plan ensures that all schools across the country will be well-resourced and funded.”