The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has secured Second Stage approval in the Dáil for the amendment of the National Training Fund Bill 2025. The Bill enables the release of nearly €1.5 billion in funding for the tertiary education, skills, and research sectors over a six-year period from 2025 to 2030, as announced under Budget 2025.
The legislation allows, for the first time, capital expenditure from the National Training Fund (NTF), a €1.8 billion state resource built up through a 1 % employer levy under the National Training Fund Act 2000. The funding will include €885 million in current spending, including an additional €150 million per year for higher education by 2030, and €600 million in capital investment to expand training facilities in healthcare, veterinary, and further education. It will also boost the research sector, including an increase to the national PhD stipend, a long-requested reform by the Irish Universities Association (IUA).
The OECD’s 2023 Skills Outlook highlighted growing pressure to expand training capacity in digital, green, and health sectors. Responding to these challenges, Minister Lawless described the NTF as a “strategic national asset for reskilling and upskilling our workforce,” saying the amendment would ensure Ireland can “invest not only in people but also in the infrastructure that supports them.” The Minister confirmed the Bill will be brought through both Houses of the Oireachtas by the end of 2025, allowing funds to flow from early 2026.
According to the IUA, nearly one-third of research infrastructure in Irish universities will be more than 15 years old by 2025, rising to 80% by 2030 without new investment. Recent government measures, including a €17.7 million investment in research infrastructure earlier this year, highlight a renewed focus on the state’s capacity to deliver skilled graduates and world-class research environments. In addition to infrastructure, the NTF reform is expected to strengthen governance and accountability mechanisms for expenditure decisions, aligning with the Department’s broader reforms under the Public Financial Procedures Review. By extending the Fund’s remit, the government aims to streamline investment across tertiary education and research, ensuring that capital projects support national strategic priorities.
The National Training Fund Bill is therefore positioned as a key step in modernising Ireland’s tertiary system. It will ensure that the country can sustain its high-tech, high-skills economy while delivering long-term value for money in public investment.
