4234. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in Colleges of the Future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59348/26]

The FET College model aims to consolidate existing FET provision within a single integrated college structure, ensuring FET provision is easy to access, has simplified pathways, offers a consistent learner experience and has a clear identity.

Progression of the new FET Colleges Model was an important success of the previous FET Strategy, Transforming Learning. The recently launched FET Strategy for 2026-2030, Creating Futures, commits to a series of strategic goals and actions aimed at accelerating delivery of the model. My Department is progressing towards this ambition with key supporting pillars around capital investment and a responsive and agile structure.

The overarching objective is a structure which supports FET colleges in operating strategically, while enabling responsiveness to enterprise and community needs. My department has engaged with each ETB to discuss their vision, operations, and strategic goals as to how we can collectively support that shared objective.

In terms of agile and responsive delivery my Department is developing a FET Practitioner staffing framework in collaboration with the sector. To support this work, the Department appointed an Independent Expert Panel in March 2024, chaired by education expert David Jones, to examine FET practitioner staffing structures in ETBs and benchmark them against international standards. The Independent Expert Panel’s report, published in March 2026, contains six recommendations that will collectively support the long-term development of the FET sector. Detailed consultation is ongoing with our stakeholders including the TUI, SIPTU, Fórsa, the AHCPS, ETBI, ETBs and SOLAS.

The objective of the FET College Major Capital Programme (FCMCP) is to address existing deficits in current FET infrastructure and support projects that drive reform of the FET sector through consolidation of provision and integration of further education and training. Twelve project proposals are currently being progressed under the FCMCP. Nine of the proposals have been approved to move to the Pre-tender - Project Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy Stage. These are proposals from Galway Roscommon ETB, Cork ETB, Cavan Monaghan FET, Kilkenny Carlow ETB, Kildare Wicklow ETB, Limerick Clare ETB, Tipperary ETB, City of Dublin ETB and Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB.

The remaining 3 which are located at DDLETB, KETB and LMETB require a site purchase, work in relation to this is ongoing. An essential requirement for advancing a project through Approval Gate 1 is the confirmation of a site.

In order to provide for consistency of approach and to ensure for the timely delivery of projects under this Programme, an integrated design team framework was advertised to suppliers in April of this year. Applications to be part of this framework are currently being evaluated and when in place will provide for a framework of pre-approved design team consultants, that ETBs will be in a position to draw down services from, when they are ready to so.