129. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports available for individuals who wish to undertake further remote study in their field, in view of the fact that many may wish to specialise/retrain while maintaining their post in the West of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49867/26]

My Department supports individuals who wish to upskill, re-skill or specialise through a range of flexible learning opportunities across the further and higher education system. These supports are particularly important for people who wish to undertake further study remotely while remaining based in their local communities, including those living in the West of Ireland.

Springboard+ provides free or subsidised higher education places in areas of identified skills need. Courses are generally part-time and many are delivered online or through blended learning, supporting participation by learners who may not be in a position to relocate or attend a campus on a full-time basis. Springboard+ includes micro-credentials and is open to people who are unemployed, employed or returning to the workforce, subject to meeting eligibility criteria.

In addition, my Department supports the development of micro-credentials, which provide short, flexible and accredited learning opportunities. These are designed to allow learners to build specific skills in their field, or to retrain in areas of emerging skills need, without necessarily undertaking a full-time programme of study. The Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy supports eligible learners, including those in employment, to access subsidised places on approved micro-credential courses. Many of these courses are available online or through blended delivery.

Further Education and Training (FET) provided by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) offers a wide variety options including blended and online options. The SOLAS eCollege offers flexible and user-friendly, certified online learning, ideal for those wishing to study at their own pace and align study with their work and life commitments.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies and decisions on the development, delivery mode and admissions arrangements for individual programmes are matters for the institutions themselves, within the wider policy framework supported by my Department.

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is a significant provider of online, flexible and professional development provision in the West and North-West of Ireland, offering over 350 online, flexible and postgraduate courses from Level 6 Higher Certificate to Level 9 Master’s degree. Its multi-campus presence across the region also supports learners who wish to access further study while remaining in their local communities.

These initiatives form part of the Government’s wider approach to lifelong learning, widening access and supporting people to develop skills throughout their careers. My Department will continue to work with the higher education and further education sectors to expand flexible learning options, including online and blended provision, so that learners in all regions, including the West of Ireland, can access opportunities to specialise, retrain and progress while remaining based in their communities.