Adult and community education across Ireland is facing a crisis. Classes are being cut, jobs are being lost and earnings are being slashed in multiple education and training boards. A total of €20 million has been removed from the programmes serving some of the most marginalised learners in our communities. There are over 500 further education and training campuses across Ireland, six of which are in my constituency of Cork South-West. More than 40% of those attending them are senior citizens. These classes are a lifeline for many who live alone and would otherwise be at risk of social isolation. Will the Taoiseach find out for my constituents and me, and for the country, what criteria are being used for cutting courses and making tutors redundant? Is he aware that these cuts will mainly target and affect the most marginalised learners in our communities? Adult education gives people a second chance to learn, grow and build a better future for themselves. Why are important opportunities being denied to some of our most vulnerable people through cuts in the budget for adult education? I ask that the decision be overturned.

I thank the Deputy for his question but I think he is conflating separate matters. This is not a cut in adult education. A total of 16 ETBs provide free English language classes for speakers of other languages. Demand rose sharply after the war in Ukraine broke out, going from approximately 9,000 learners in 2019 to more than 30,000 last year, 61% of whom were international protection applicants or displaced Ukrainians. In response to that increased demand and the need to ensure effective integration, temporary funding of up to €25 million annually was provided between 2023 and 2025. In line with budget 2026, that temporary funding has now been reduced but the core provision has not been reduced. ETBs retain flexibility within their overall budgets to prioritise English language classes locally. The change will have impacts. The additional funding was there for quite a number of years and it was a temporary intervention. The ETBs will work with SOLAS and others to try to maximise provision and deal with a newer phase.