Mike Kennelly
Labour Panel · Fine Gael · Ireland
“I express my deep concern at the devastating wildfire that affected Killarney National Park yesterday evening. It is one of the most treasured national landscapes in the country.”
“However, as that excitement builds ahead of the biggest day in the GAA's calendar, there is again a growing concern among Kerry and Mayo supporters and others about how they will get to Croke Park.”
“I welcome the Minister of State. My ask is for the Minister for Transport to liaise with Irish Rail and Bus Éireann to ensure that adequate transport is provided for all football supporters from Kerry and Mayo for the upcoming All-Ireland final. I congratulate Kerry and Mayo on reaching this year's All-Ireland football final.”
“This is not just a Kerry issue or a Mayo issue; it is a national issue. We heard yesterday on the Order of Business that even Louth and Wicklow supporters had difficulties getting to Croke Park last Saturday. The All-Ireland final is one of the largest sporting events in the country, bringing tens of thousands of supporters together.”
“The use of barbecues, open flames or any activity that creates a fire risk in such conditions is simply unacceptable. What may seem like a harmless act can, in a matter of minutes, destroy habitats that have taken generations to develop and places lives in danger.”
“Yesterday was just a reminder of the of the serious consequences that can arise when risks are taken with fire. The land and trees are so dry at the moment that a spark could destroy every amenity we have.”
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“This Bill will represent an important step in protecting both qualified tradespeople and the next generation coming through the apprenticeship programme. Employers, especially at SMEs, need support too. When apprentices are off the job for training it can place real strain on small businesses. Targeted financial supports will help keep them engaged. We also need stronger sectoral bodies to co-ordinate employer involvement. The Insurance Institute model shows what is possible when an industry takes ownership of its skills pipeline. The public sector must lead by example. Social value procurement in public tenders would drive apprenticeship participation across the State. We also have to tackle the stigma that still surrounds apprenticeships. I am delighted that Katelyn is in our company tonight.”
“The Bill would amend the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 to create a mandatory minimum three-year custodial sentence for serious theft offences involving work tools or equipment from all apprentices where the theft prevents someone from learning their trade. Senator Murphy has highlighted the real financial and professional damage caused when tradespeople, electricians, plumbers, carpenters and sole traders have tools stolen. He has received strong support from across the trades and from apprentices, who often invest heavily in their first set of tools and rely on them to complete their on-job training. These thefts can halt their progress instantly. The Bill sends a clear message that stealing the tools of someone's trade is stealing his or her income, training and future.”
“That should not be happening in a modern society. People like the 45-year-old father I mentioned who have families, mortgages and responsibilities are being locked out of apprenticeship programmes. These are people who want to contribute, to retrain and to be part of the workforce that will deliver our climate and energy transition. We cannot afford to lose them. On apprenticeship tools, it is hugely important that the Fine Gael Senator PJ Murphy, who is not here right now, gets the full support of this House on his proposed tool theft Bill, which is to come before the Seanad next week. The Bill recognises that, when tools are stolen, it is not just equipment that is taken, but a person's ability to train, work and progress.”
“The committee rightly emphasises the importance of listening to apprentices themselves. Course sequencing matters. Career skills modules make far more sense later in the programme, when apprentices have real workplace experience. If we want a system that works for everyone, universal design must be built in from the start. People with disabilities should not just be consulted at the end. They should be shaping programmes from day one. Pathways like those offered by the National Learning Network should be highlighted and expanded. Financial barriers still remain one of the biggest obstacles. An increased minimum wage, the removal of student charges and targeted supports for parents, older apprentices and those with dependants would make a real difference. Even the cost of tools can be a dealbreaker.”
“Whether someone is training as an electrician, a software developer or a heat pump installer, they deserve the same level of quality and support. Curriculums must keep pace with industry, technology and green skills, which are evolving quickly. We cannot have programmes taking years to update. Streamlined development time is essential. AI upskilling has never been more relevant to the apprenticeship model and to all employers. That is something to be noted. With the benefit of the NTF, we need more instructors and more training facilities. Trades like mechanical automation and electrical are oversubscribed. These are exactly the skills we need to meet our climate and industry targets so expanded capacity is urgently needed. Thanks to the NTF, we finally have the means to achieve that. There is nothing holding us back.”
“He wants to start an apprenticeship in a sector that is crying out for workers but, when he looked at the rates for first and second-year apprentices and at his mortgage repayments, childcare costs and college fees, he realised he simply could not make the numbers work. He told me that he is willing to put in the work but just cannot afford to go backwards. That is the reality for a lot of people out there. If we want to bring in older workers, those changing careers, parents and people with real-world experience, people we absolutely need, apprenticeships must be financially viable for them. As we move towards a single integrated apprenticeship model, we need to ensure that standards remain strong across every trade and every programme.”
“It gives us the financial foundation to build the skilled workforce Ireland urgently needs. However, unlocking the fund is only the beginning. We now have to use it wisely. The recommendations of the committee, which I sit proudly on, make clear where that investment must go. The system is doing good work but it needs to move faster and be more flexible and accessible if it is to meet the demands of the next decade. I will share one example that reflects what many across the country will be hearing. A 45-year-old man recently came to me. He is married, has a family and mortgage and, with a full working life already behind him, wants to retrain.”
“I refer to funding and so forth. The increase in the number of apprenticeships is really encouraging. We now have a genuine opportunity to transform the whole system. I welcome the number of 9,461 in 2025. That is a huge number and an increase of 70% on 2020. A major turning point came in 2025 here in the Chamber when the Government finally unlocked the National Training Fund. That decision closed the core funding gap that had been holding apprenticeships back for too long. It was not just an accounting change. It was a moment when our ambitions were finally matched with resources. If we are serious about expanding apprenticeships, modernising training, supporting employers and meeting the climate and energy commitments in the programme for Government, including the SEAI targets, unlocking that fund is the key to open the door.”
“I welcome the Minister of State and Katelyn Cummins to the Seanad tonight. I am a very proud Kerryman. I was putting together my few words for tonight. My son is in phase 5 of an electrical apprenticeship. When Ms Cummins won the coveted crown as Rose of Tralee last year, she really elevated the apprenticeship model for the female sector. The figures in that respect are very low. We will talk about that later on. It was a really proud moment for the skills sector. It really enticed ladies into apprenticeship schemes. I really hope Ms Cummins enjoys her time here, having been invited by the Chair. Apprenticeships are one of the few areas where we have seen real tangible progress. My contribution tonight is really about the life of an apprentice, the factors that have worked against apprenticeships and how we can make them better.”
“Communities must not continue to live in fear of the next storm. The perfect storm, which I raised here before, was in Listowel. Two days before the serious flood there, there was a snowfall event. There was a status yellow rain warning for the Friday night, the same night that the temperatures rose. You could say the thaw and the flood destroyed north Kerry. I therefore call on the Minister of State responsible for the OPW to come before the House to debate the urgent need to install lifesaving early-warning infrastructure in flood-prone areas, not just in Kerry but also across the rest of the country.”
“The latter is an upstream monitoring and alert system that can be deployed quickly without the need for planning approval and that detects abnormal increases in river stages and provides advance alerts of imminent flood risks. The OPW has informed me that this system will be considered for the Listowel full flood relief scheme. Unfortunately, it will be ten years before the latter is completed. Such a system capable of detecting rising water levels along our rivers would provide immediate warnings to local authorities, community groups and first responders, no matter who they are, giving them the vital time needed to act to protect lives and property. This technology saves time, and time saves lives. With continual rainfall leaving the ground saturated, a status yellow weather warning has effectively become the new red warning.”
“I rise to speak about the devastation caused by the recent flood events on the east coast that destroyed homes, businesses and entire communities. This latest incident has deeply unsettled people in my area in places like Listowel, Killacrim, Tralee and Kenmare. In November 2024, Listowel experienced its worst flooding event in more than 60 years. Following that event, the OPW, in partnership with Kerry County Council, undertook emergency work valued at more than €500,000 to stabilise the banks of the River Feale and prevent further breaches. While these works were greatly welcome, one critical element was omitted, namely the installation of an early flood detection alarm system.”
“There are budgetary constraints but we need to take a serious look at this because it is damaging the health and well-being of a lot of people. A lot of retirees in particular have come to me on this issue because they simply cannot afford the premiums.”
“I thank the Minister of State for his response. Without stating the obvious, there is a trend that people are not taking out health insurance because they cannot afford the premiums. I welcome the news that budget 2027 will be looked at thoroughly in relation to getting some reduction and tax relief for the people who are doing it because, as I said, the pressure on the public system will intensify. We need more people taking out health cover. It is disappointing to see that it is estimated that the number of people insured has reduced by 150,000 over the period referred to by the Minister of State. The current ceilings were introduced in 2014. I will be relaying my message to my party leader, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Harris.”
“Given the scale of the increases and the fundamental importance of access to timely healthcare, I ask the Minister of State to confirm whether the Government will undertake a meaningful review of the tax relief structure for private health insurance premiums. Will the Department examine whether the reduced rate of relief remains appropriate? Will it consider restoring relief at the marginal rate or introducing a more progressive structure that reflects the pressures on ordinary families? There is a large and growing constituency of working people who feel they are being quietly priced out of private healthcare. They feel unheard and they are right to be frustrated. The same is true for many retirees, who now face the stark reality that the system they supported for decades no longer supports them when they need it most.”
“Despite the recovery of the public finances and repeated claims that austerity is well behind us, this reduction has never been revisited. The result is a double hit: rapidly rising premiums on one side and a weakened tax offset on the other. Families and individuals who make up the backbone of private health insurance membership have been hard hit. Many households have endured increases of 30%, 40% or even 50% in recent years with no adjustment in tax relief to soften the blow. For some, the cost of cover now rivals a mortgage payment. Families are being forced into impossible choices: either keep the insurance and cut back elsewhere or drop it and hope they will not need timely care. This is not sustainable and it is not reflective of a Government that claims to support working people.”
“Retired individuals and older couples - people who have contributed throughout their lives and who rely on timely healthcare more than ever - are finding themselves increasingly unable to maintain the cover they once depended on. At the very stage in life when health insurance becomes most critical, many are being priced out of the system entirely. Their fixed incomes simply cannot keep pace with the relentless rise in premiums. The tax reliefs available on health insurance premiums were significantly reduced during the financial crisis. The marginal rate of relief was removed in 2014, 12 years ago. That was introduced as a temporary austerity measure but allowed to become permanent. Before that, relief was granted at the marginal rate, which for many taxpayers was 40%. That support was cut and standardised. Today it stands at just 20%.”
“I also welcome the Minister of State. I wish to raise the escalating cost of private health insurance and the growing financial pressure it is placing on many individuals and households. What we are seeing is not a marginal increase or a gentle upward trend. Premiums have risen sharply, and sometimes multiple times in a year. This has pushed many families to the brink. These are people who do everything right. They work hard, they pay their taxes and they try to protect their loved ones by maintaining health cover they see as essential rather than optional. Despite this, every renewal notice brings anxiety as opposed to reassurance. It is not only working families who are feeling the pressure.”
“As has been mentioned, Uisce Éireann and local authorities have a vital role to play in the next three years in improving water quality. It is evident from the discussions and the lobbying that were going on prior to the derogation being announced that the Minister's voice has been heard. His commitment to improving environmental outcomes while keeping farms productive has been recognised, as has his role in ensuring that Ireland's food system, which feeds millions and supports rural life, remains valued and respected.”
“His Department has worked tirelessly behind the scenes, analysing data, preparing submissions and ensuring that Ireland's case was presented clearly, strongly and credibly. His commitment deserves real recognition. The proposed extension is not just a technical or regulatory matter; it is a lifeline for thousands of family farms. It protects the viability of dairy and livestock enterprises that depend on the derogation to operate sustainably. It supports rural communities whose local economies rely on a vibrant agricultural sector. It reinforces Ireland's reputation as a country that can balance environmental ambition with practical science-based policy. It also reflects the credibility Ireland has built through ongoing improvements in water quality, investment in slurry storage and the adoption of new technologies and farming practices.”
“What is particularly important to highlight today is that Ireland is the only EU member state to receive such a derogation. That fact alone speaks volumes. Clarity and certainty are essential. Farmers need clarity to plan, invest and to continue producing high-quality food while meeting the highest environmental standards. This agreement is a major step forward towards providing that certainty for the more than 7,000 farmers who are availing of the derogation. I acknowledge the enormous amount of work that has gone into reaching this point. I have seen the efforts of the Minister at first hand. He has been relentless in his engagement with the Commission, with farm organisations and with stakeholders right across the sector.”
“I welcome the Minister and his official. I also welcome his statement and the discussion on the nitrates derogation. Coming from Kerry, which is the home of the Kerry Group, and having been raised on a dairy farm, I was very pleased to welcome the news that the European Commission agreed to propose a three-year extension of Ireland's nitrates derogation. This is a significant hard-won development. It reflects a deep understanding in Brussels of the unique nature of Ireland's pasture-based livestock system, one that is among the most sustainable and efficient in Europe. As stated by Senator Daly, for months securing this derogation has been a top priority for the Minister, our colleagues in Fine Gael, and the Government as a whole.”
“Without that, the scheme will continue to fail councils, existing tenants and the very households it claims to protect. Under the current rules, Kerry County Council is not availing of the tenant in situ scheme, so it is pointless having it. Why are they getting tenants out of the house so they can purchase it and do it up when they are already there? This thing is not making a lot of sense. I call on the Minister for housing to come to the House to debate this matter.”
“Kerry County Council simply does not have spare capacity to resolve the additional properties that are required through investment after purchase. It cannot do them up. This leaves the council with an impossible choice to either refuse the tenant in situ purchases and risk families falling into homelessness, or to accept properties that we cannot afford to bring up to standard, placing further strain on services and creating long-term liabilities. This is not a sustainable housing policy. It does not prevent homelessness; it merely shifts the financial burden on to local authorities without providing the resources to meet it. If the tenant in situ scheme is to work, it must include ring-fenced funding for post-purchase works and upgrades, reflecting the real conditions of these homes.”
“The tenant in situ scheme, which was introduced to prevent homelessness, is not fit for purpose in its current form, particularly from Kerry County Council's point of view. The fundamental flaw is that while funding is provided to purchase properties, there is no adequate funding to carry out the works required after purchase. Any remedial works to address dampness or poor insulation, outdoor electrics, heating systems or general compliance must be paid for out of a council's existing maintenance budget. Herein lies the problem. The maintenance budget is already stretched to breaking point in Kerry County Council, with over 4,500 properties on its portfolio of housing stock. It is struggling to maintain its own housing stock, which is ageing, costly to run and in urgent need of upgrades.”
“They are finding it extremely hard. They wait and they are pushed out, missing the opportunity to buy the house they want in the area they want to work and live in. I welcome the point about car insurers but a lot of them not accepting emigrants as well and they are paying extreme volumes of money for car insurance. I ask the Minister of State to keep on top of this and make sure easy access is available to these people to meet these requirements when they return home.”
“I thank the Minister of State for the reply. On paper, it sounds good. There are checks and balances in every business, especially among banks and insurance providers, relating to the history of people who are returning. Like anything, it is a paper trail. It is about looking deep into a person's history, whether they have been away for five or ten years, or six months. It is not working with these institutions. Applicants are providing a lot of payslips and so on but some people cannot go back five years or whatever to get mortgage approval. They are moving back to rural Ireland, to County Kerry or wherever, and they cannot put a bid on a house because they cannot get mortgage approval. They can show some history of work and credit from the country they were in and they paid taxes in that country as well.”
“If we are serious about encouraging more people to return, mortgage providers, insurers and policymakers must work together to recognise overseas work, overseas driving and insurance histories, reduce unnecessary delays and remove barriers that simply do not need to exist. It is a great news story that people are coming home but let us make it worth their while. Let us make Ireland not just a place people want to return to but a place that actively welcomes them back, supports them and values what they bring home. If we get this right, everyone benefits; families, communities, employers and the country as a whole.”
“This is not just unfair. It feels like people are being ripped off for coming home. One person was charged up to €4,000 to take out car insurance, so they could claim back their no-claims bonus over a two-year term. It would then reduce, but a charge of €4,000 is just not on. There is also the issue of health insurance. Some returning emigrants are being told that they face waiting periods of up to five years for pre-existing conditions or 12 months before cover even begins. That creates anxiety for families and undermines the sense that Ireland is welcoming its own people home. None of these problems are unsolvable. They are not about lack of goodwill but systems that have not kept pace with our reality.”
“Banks are slow to recognise overseas employment and probation periods. They delay decisions and people who have worked abroad for years are treated as if they are starting from scratch. At the same time, the rental market is creating new barriers. People are being asked for references from Irish landlords, even when they have lived abroad for decades. That makes no sense. If people rented in another country or owned their home abroad, that experience should count. Another major issue is car insurance, which is absolutely essential, especially where I come from in rural Ireland. People are returning with years and sometimes decades of safe driving experience only to be told that their no-claims bonus has expired. Insurance companies then charge inflated premiums, effectively penalising people for having worked abroad.”
“They want to raise families here, contribute to their communities and put their skills and experience back into the Irish economy. We do need them. Returning emigrants are filling vital roles across everyday working life in Ireland, and more are coming even this week, in healthcare, construction, education, hospitality, trades, agriculture and our small businesses. They bring international experience, a strong work ethic and huge value to local economies, especially in rural Ireland. This should be a national success story but, too often, people who do everything right are hitting unnecessary and frustrating blockages when they come home. The biggest issue is housing. Returning emigrants struggle to get immediate mortgage approval, even when they have strong incomes, solid savings and long work histories.”
“I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Troy, to the House. My Commencement matter is on the need for the Minister for Finance to specify what plans are in place to support our citizens returning to Ireland to live and work, specifically in relation to mortgage approval, car insurance, health insurance and all the other issues they face. It is genuinely great news for Ireland, and for families and communities across the country, that emigrants are returning home to live and work. Over 61,500 people have returned to Ireland over the last two years. That tells a powerful story. It shows that Ireland is flying and we have full employment, opportunity and confidence in our future. It also reflects something deeper - people want to come home.”
“He stood up for farmers, small businesses and local families, and he carried the concerns of north Kerry with him every day he served. Outside of politics, Gerard was a neighbour and a community man, someone who gave his time generously and contributed quietly to the life of Listowel and the surrounding parishes. His loss will be felt by many and I offer my sincere sympathies to his family - his wife, Margo, and his children, Mary, Geraldine, Seamus, Paddy, Catherine, Ann, Norma, Bernadette, Mags and, indeed, his late son John. I offer my sincere sympathies to Gerard's family, his Fine Gael family and all who mourn him.”
“I want to say a few words on the passing of Gerard Lynch, our former Kerry county councillor and town councillor, former TD and former Senator from Listowel, my home town. Gerard Lynch served in the Dáil from 1969 to 1977 and later in the Seanad from 1977 to 1981. Across those years, Gerard gave steady, committed service to the people of North Kerry and indeed to the country as a whole. Gerard Lynch was known - as the Leas-Chathaoirleach nicely put it - for his decency, fairness and genuine commitment to public service. He brought the values of rural Kerry and rural north Kerry into national life, as well as his honesty, hard work and understanding of the people he represented. His focus was never on headlines; it was on helping people and improving life in his own community.”
“Ballymacelligott's all-Ireland junior championship triumph reflects a club that has been steadily building and investing in its underage structures and nurturing a spirit of togetherness. An Ghaeltacht becoming all-Ireland intermediate champions and the success of Dingle Peninsula teams are a testament not only to the sporting excellence but the strength of our Gaeltacht communities. Last Sunday, Dingle - Daingean Uí Chúis - became the all-Ireland senior club champions. That victory marked three in a row, and the club's achievement showcases the resilience and pride of west Kerry. These three small parishes have taken on the country and won all-Ireland championships for Kerry. These teams represent far more than silverware.”
“I also want to recognise Killarney actress, Jessie Buckley, who continues to shine on the world stage, most recently with her success at the Golden Globes, where she won best performance by a female actor in a motion picture. Her achievements highlight the extraordinary artistic talent Kerry has long produced and her dedication to her craft is something we can all admire. She is one of ours and I wish her all the best in the upcoming Academy Awards for her role in "Hamnet". I want to pay special tribute to our wonderful GAA football teams across Kerry. The recent victories of Ballymacelligott GAA, An Ghaeltacht GAA and Dingle GAA have brought immense pride to every corner of the county.”
“I want to recognise greatness on the Order of Business and acknowledge several outstanding achievements by individuals and communities from my county, Kerry. These achievements reflect the very best of our young people, athletes and sporting tradition. I want to congratulate 15-year-old Aoibheann Daly, whose remarkable success at the Stripe Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition brought immense pride to her school, family and Kerry as a whole. Her work on a brain cancer diagnosis tool demonstrates the talent, curiosity and ambition that defines the next generation and she stands as a wonderful role model for young people across the county. I also want to pay tribute to last year's winner – we had two in a row in that category – the three sisters Laoise, Saoirse and Ciara Murphy, from Presentation Secondary School in Tralee.”
“The hall was built in the 1960s and is in a serious state of disrepair. The school has been unsuccessful in two funding applications. A third application will come too late because the hall will be closed. I ask the Leader to see if emergency funding can be sourced through the Minister and to invite the Minister to the House to discuss this serious matter.”
“Two years ago, emergency works funding was refused and this year, a request for climate action summer works funding was also turned down. I am calling on the Minister to act urgently. The hall cannot continue to be used safely in its current condition. If immediate repairs are not authorised, the school may be forced to close the Brian McMahon Hall in the new year, depriving students and the wider community of an essential space for learning, creativity and community engagement. I urge the Minister to prioritise Scoil Réalta na Maidine in Listowel and to allocate the necessary emergency funding to ensure that essential repairs, including addressing the woodworm and structural decay, proceed without delay. This is a really serious matter for the parents and students of Listowel who are attending this boys' national school.”
“I raise a very serious matter of urgent concern regarding Scoil Réalta na Maidine in Listowel. Some of the pupils are here with me today This school is at the heart of our community and central to it is the Brian McMahon Hall, a facility that hosts PE classes, dramas and plays and countless activities but is now in a state of serious disrepair. Built in the 1960s, the hall's roof is failing. There is no internal membrane, no felt beneath the slates and mould and dampness have spread throughout the roof and into adjoining rooms. The flooring and woodwork in the hall have been badly damaged by woodworm, further weakening the structure. This is not just a cosmetic issue but a significant health and safety hazard. Despite repeated applications for support, the school's requests have been denied.”
“First, we must introduce clear protocols to redirect non-emergency cases to primary care, community services or telehealth, supported by strong public education. Second, there must be sanctions for deliberate misuse, with appropriate powers for investigation and enforcement. Third, we need stronger operational safeguards for rural areas, using data, public awareness campaigns and smarter resource deployment to protect genuine emergencies. Every unnecessary ambulance call puts lives at risk and I urge the Government to act without delay. I call on the Ministers for health and justice to bring forward measures to this floor that safeguard our emergency services and the people we serve.”
“They are not taxis, a convenience or a substitute for routine transport or non-urgent care, yet these vital services are being misused, placing unnecessary strain on a system already under pressure. In counties such as Kerry, the consequences are very stark. When an ambulance is dispatched unnecessarily to distant parts of the county, response times increase significantly. That delay does not simply inconvenience people. It leaves entire communities exposed and waiting for emergency care that may arrive too late. In a genuine emergency, minutes matter. This is not just a health issue, as has been reported. It is also a justice issue. That is why I call on the Ministers for Health and justice to jointly engage and debate this matter. We need decisive action in three areas.”
“I rise to address a serious issue that goes to the heart of public safety and the effective functioning of our emergency services, namely, the misuse and abuse of our emergency ambulance services. This serious matter was raised only last week by Fine Gael Councillor Angie Baily in Tralee at a meeting of Kerry County Council. She reflected the deep and growing concern at local and, given what was reported on Newstalk earlier, national level. It is an issue that demands immediate attention. People are stepping out of accident and emergency departments ten minutes after having been brought to hospitals across the country. Ambulances exist to save lives.”
“This legislation ensures that this fund can be used not only to finance programmes but also to build the physical foundations of our skills system. Fine Gael welcomes this Bill and sees it is as a vital step in strengthening Ireland’s competitiveness, supporting lifelong learning and preparing our workforce for the challenges ahead. Therefore, I commend it to the House.”
“If managed properly, this investment will: provide modern facilities for higher and further education institutions; expand capacity in critical-skills areas, such as healthcare and veterinary science; support universal access to training by ensuring infrastructure is fit for purpose; strengthen Ireland’s research base and help to attract and retain our talent; and ensure the fund continues to meet its statutory purpose of raising skills, supporting employment and providing information on future skills needs. By allowing capital expenditure from the NTF, we are unlocking a surplus of nearly €1.5 billion to invest in facilities, infrastructure and the research capacity Ireland needs. Talent is our greatest natural resource.”
“The National Training Fund, as the Minister stated, was created with a clear statutory purpose – to raise skills, support training and provide information on future skills needs. That purpose must remain central. Employers contribute to the fund through the levy, and they rightly expect that their contributions will be channelled into skills development not diverted to solve unrelated budgetary pressures.”
“I am only restating what has been included in that package, namely: €885 million in current funding for tertiary education and training; a €150 million per annum increase in higher education funding up to 2030; €235 million in one-off current funding for skills and apprenticeships. Wonderfully, there is a €600 million capital uplift to build and upgrade facilities in areas such as healthcare, veterinary training, further education and to support universal access to skills provision. I listened to the Dáil debate on the Bill. Everyone welcomed the investment. When the allocation for the NTF is being hammered out, will the Minister and the Department take heed of what will benefit the skills sector most? The temptation might be to use or abuse the fund to plug funding gaps that could arise elsewhere in the third level sector.”
“I wonder if it is for full new builds. This is a necessary adjustment. Until now, the fund could only be used for current expenditure. That restriction meant that while we could finance programmes and training schemes, we could not invest directly in the infrastructure we needed to deliver. This amendment corrects that limitation and ensures that the fund can support the physical capacity required for skills development. I welcome the unlocking of the surplus. At the end of 2024 the fund held a surplus of approximately €1.7 billion. Budget 2025 set out a six-year plan to progressively spend €1.48 billion of that surplus between now and 2030. That is the reason we are here. This Bill is the legislative mechanism that allows the plan to proceed.”
“I welcome the Minister back to the Seanad. There is a kind of festive feeling to this Bill. All is going well. I am pleased to contribute to this debate and to welcome the National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill 2025. As Fine Gael spokesperson on the committee for higher and further education, I commend the Minister on bringing this legislation to the House. The Bill is concise in its drafting but very significant in its impact. As has been stated, the Bill makes a focused change to the National Training Fund Act 2000. It amends section 7 to allow payments from funds to include capital expenditure. We welcome that. It also allows for the acquisition of land, premises, furniture, equipment and the upgrading of construction and facilities. As the Minister stated, it can either be for retrofitting or a full refurbishment.”
“I thank the Minister of State. That is wonderful news. As he said, Local Link has been a success story. In Ballyferriter, west Kerry, it has brought communities back together. The service the people are receiving there is unbelievable and they are grateful for it. However, I am highlighting areas that are not receiving an adequate service. I am delighted that the Minister of State will take on board my points, especially those on the Abbeydorney area. Is there a public awareness campaign for people living on isolated roads that are not being serviced? Has the NTA a way of identifying areas that have applied for funding but that unfortunately have not been successful? Local Link has been a success story but everyone is not included. I want the affected areas to be invested in and people to have an adequate service.”