Policy and funding for further and higher education and research

What this means

• The Department of Further and Higher Education is an Irish government department responsible for policy, funding and oversight of further and higher education, apprenticeships, and research.[source]
• It oversees the further education and training system, which provides courses and skills programmes for people outside of the traditional university route.[source]
• The department also covers apprenticeships and research and innovation, meaning it shapes how Ireland develops skilled workers and supports scientific progress.[source]
• Its work is underpinned by laws including the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Act 2012, which set out its legal powers.[source]
• Because it controls funding and policy for colleges and training bodies, the department plays a key role in how public money for education is spent and how standards are maintained.[source]

Direct impact (1)

• duty held by body
  Department of Further and Higher EducationBody

Indirect impact (5)

Two-hop relationships traced through the entity above. Useful for spotting downstream knock-on effects.

• duty held by body → responsible for commitment2-hop via dept-further
  Reduce the student contribution fee over the term of GovernmentCommitment
• duty held by body → responsible for commitment2-hop via dept-further
  Double college places for therapy and health professionalsCommitment
• duty held by body → responsible for commitment2-hop via dept-further
  Expand apprenticeship and craft training placesCommitment
• duty held by body → holds role: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science2-hop via dept-further
  James LawlessOfficeholder
• duty held by body → holds role: Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science2-hop via dept-further
  Marian HarkinOfficeholder