I raise an urgent and deeply troubling matter concerning the abrupt discontinuation of English for speakers of other languages, ESOL, classes at Waterford and Wexford education and training board, ETB, just before the recent mid-term break. Students were informed the day before the break that they would not be returning to classes despite having enrolled with the understanding that tuition would run for a full academic year. Many of those affected are individuals under international protection or with refugee status in Ireland. Some students lost their classes after just ten weeks while others were discontinued after approximately 20 weeks of study. In all cases, learners were left without provision, clarity or an alterative pathway.

Under the International Protection Act 2015 and broader national integration policy, the State recognises the importance of facilitating access to education and integration supports for those granted protection. Language acquisition is central to integration. Without English, individuals face hindrance in accessing employment, participating meaningfully in community life, supporting their children in school or consolidating their independence.

If the State permits individuals to enter and remain in Ireland under international protection, it surely carries a responsibility to ensure that the structures necessary for integration are accessible and stable. Abruptly withdrawing language provision mid-year undermines that responsibility and destabilises some of the most vulnerable members of our community.

The consequences have been immediate and serious. Students have been left confused, distressed and feeling discarded. Many had structured childcare, transport and weekly routines built around these classes. Teachers had their hours dramatically reduced. Trust in publicly funded education provision has been damaged. The emotional impact on learners has been particularly concerning. Many have already experienced sudden upheaval and displacement, for example, people in Ukraine.

If budgetary pressures in one part of the further education and training, FET, system are resulting in the reduction of language supports for individuals under international protection, it raises serious concerns about equity and prioritisation. ESOL learners are among the most vulnerable participants in our educational system. Any reduction in their access to provision should be subject to transparency and public scrutiny. Waterford and Wexford ETB already had significant waiting lists for adults awaiting English-language education with 300-plus students reporting waiting for two years or more for a place, only for that place to be taken away in a cursory fashion.

This Commencement Matter seeks to establish whether ESOL provision has been reduced due to national funding pressures within the FET system; seeks to clarify whether apprenticeship expenditure overruns have resulted in reallocations, impacting adult literacy and ESOL programmes; seeks confirmation from SOLAS and the Department of further and higher education as to how ESOL capacity is being protected for learners under international protection; and advocates for the reinstatement of provision or equivalent alternative arrangements for those who enrolled in good faith for a full academic year. I am also very concerned about the wider funding decisions within the FET sector. I understand that apprenticeship provision has experienced significant cost pressures nationally. I am seeking to ascertain whether funding reallocations at a national level, through SOLAS and the Department of further and higher education, have impacted the level of ESOL provision available locally.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which I am taking on behalf of the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, who apologises for not being able to be here in person.

By way of background, Ireland’s 16 ETBs provide free ESOL classes for those who need support in developing English language proficiency. Courses range from beginner to intermediate levels, as well as advanced or professional ESOL. In some ETBs, ESOL courses are also linked to career areas such as healthcare, hospitality and childcare. Since February 2022, demand for ESOL programmes provided by ETBs has risen sharply. This follows the start of the war in Ukraine. For comparison, in 2021 a total of 9,095 learners were enrolled in ESOL provision across the 16 ETBs. Last year, 30,630 learners enrolled in ESOL. The numbers have more than tripled.

Through SOLAS, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides funding to support delivery of FET programmes, including ESOL, across the 16 ETBs. Each ETB then has the autonomy to use this funding, within its overall budget, in the way that best meets the needs of learners, communities and local enterprise. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022, the Department provided significant temporary funding to ETBs to support ESOL provision. This funding was essential in meeting the immediate language needs that arose during the initial response. The Minister wishes to acknowledge the commitment, creativity and flexibility shown by ETBs and their staff in responding to this rapid increase in demand. Their efforts have offered vital support to people fleeing the war, helping them feel welcomed and to begin to settle into life in Ireland.

The Minister extends sincere thanks to ETBs and their staff for their dedication. While this temporary funding enabled a rapid expansion of classes across the sector, it was always intended to be time limited. It supported the emergency phase of assisting displaced Ukrainians as they began integrating into Irish communities. The Department has now moved towards a more sustainable long-term model. As this emergency allocation has now concluded, and in line with budget 2026 parameters, ESOL funding has returned to its 2021 level.

To be clear, ESOL classes have not ceased. ESOL programmes continue to be delivered in Waterford and Wexford and across all ETBs. Waterford and Wexford ETB has assured the Minister that more than 2,000 learners are currently actively engaged in ESOL courses delivered by their ETB which will continue to completion. Waterford and Wexford ETB's initial plans for 2026 include longer ESOL programmes for approximately 2,100 learners, alongside ESOL courses supporting an estimated 400 learners as part of its wider further education and training provision. This demonstrates that ESOL provision remains fully operational across the region.

The demand for ESOL remains strong and continues to grow in some areas. Waterford and Wexford ETB is working closely with SOLAS, local integration partners and community organisations to ensure that provision is targeted towards those with the greatest need and that learners are supported to progress into further education, training and employment. The ETB remains committed to maintaining accessible language learning opportunities and will continue to review provision as part of its planning for the 2026 academic year.

The words of the Minister of State come as a measure of great reassurance. I am sure it will assuage the worries and fears down in Waterford and Wexford ETB. There is a disjoint between the evidence that I am getting from the local people and the statement from the Minister of State this morning. However, I am not in a position to immediately take up issue with it and will just sit down and have a look at it over the weekend.

I again thank the Senator for raising the matter and providing the opportunity for me, on behalf of the Minister for further education, to outline the situation and background. I assure the Senator that proactive steps are being taken by officials to maximise the impact of ESOL provision within available resources. Since February 2022, demand for ESOL programmes provided by ETBs has risen very sharply. That ESOL provision was critical in supporting migrants in the development of English language skills, while also strengthening communities and supporting access to the labour market.

While the end to temporary funding will have impacts in many local areas, the Department, through all the 16 ETBs, continues to support the provision of ESOL courses. The development and learning achieved by ETBs in ESOL provision over the past four years places the system in a stronger overall position than it had previously. With this in mind, the Department will continue to work closely with SOLAS, ETBI and the ETBs to maximise ESOL provision. The Department will also engage with colleagues across government to co-ordinate wider ESOL provision and ensure that impact is maximised for learners and their communities.