1508. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether education and training boards, micro-credential programmes, lifelong learning initiatives or other further education and training funding streams may be utilised to support the delivery of specialist programmes in areas such as apiculture and pollinator conservation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65481/26]

Under the legislation governing the Further Education and Training (FET) and higher education sectors, Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies responsible for decisions on the development, modification, suspension and discontinuation of programmes. These bodies regularly review provision in response to learner demand, available resources, skills needs and academic priorities. It would therefore not be appropriate for me, as Minister, or for my Department to intervene in matters that are the statutory responsibility of these institutions.

Organisations interested in delivering specialist programmes in areas such as apiculture and pollinator conservation should engage directly with ETBs and HEIs, which are best placed to assess potential provision.

SOLAS has advised that four related projects received REACH funding in 2026, supporting an estimated 89 participants across Donegal ETB and Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB. These projects were: Build Your Own Beehive, Dirty Gardening Secrets, Community Garden Workshops and Social Inclusion Classes, and the Amenity Horticulture Project Incorporating a Pollinator and Sensory Spaces.

Some ETBs have recently delivered FET programmes related to apiculture or pollinator conservation, although none are scheduled for the current academic year.

The University of Galway has advised that there was no intake to its Diploma in Apiculture in the 2026/27 academic year. The University is reviewing the programme’s resourcing model to support its sustainable delivery and no decision has been taken on its long-term future. The University has further indicated that available staff resources have been prioritised for its new Bachelor of Science in Zoology, introduced in 2026/27 in response to learner demand. Academic staff who previously contributed to the Diploma in Apiculture, including specialists in bee health and sustainable beekeeping, will also contribute to the new Zoology programme.