Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020
98. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional new opportunities being provided at third level and in further education for 2021 between those going via the CAO system, under Springboard, apprenticeship and PLC; the number of these now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30680/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that a broad range of education and training opportunities are available both to students leaving school and to those whose livelihoods have been impacted by the current pandemic and are looking to upskill or reskill.
This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education through the CAO, with 63,338 applicants having received a CAO offer as of the end of Round Two, the latest for which this data is available. We will continue to build on this progress, and €18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver an additional 2,700 new undergraduate student places from September 2021. This increase will address demographic growth pressures and equates to an overall investment of nearly €80 million to address the demographic increases since 2018. These places are in addition to the 1,330 additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
There will be a total investment of €118.5 million in 2021 to upskill and reskill people who have been affected by the impacts of the current pandemic and in areas of key skills priorities. The investment will be aimed at those that require it the most, whether that is to assist with seeking employment or to upskill in their current jobs. Over 50,000 additional places are being supported in 2020/21 and the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme is being extended until June 2021.
Springboard+ complements the core State-funded education and training system and provides free or 90% funded upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills needs. Under Springboard+ 2020, 11,074 places are being provided on 332 courses. This includes additional places as a response to Covid-19 related skills needs, funded through a repurposing of a small element of the HCI Pillar 3 allocation, and further additional places funded through the July Jobs Stimulus package. An additional €7m has been provided for Springboard+ under the 2021 Budget, however the exact number of places to be provided will be determined during the course of the 2021 Springboard+ call for proposals.
