Cathy Bennett TD spoke in the Dáil: Financial Statements 2024: National Training Fund

Cathy Bennett TD of Sinn Féin, representing Cavan‑Monaghan, took part in a Dáil debate on the 2024 Financial Statements concerning the National Training Fund. In her remarks she highlighted the fund’s current surplus, which has arisen from increased employment numbers and higher employer PRSI receipts.

The National Training Fund is set to receive an almost €1.5 billion boost under Budget 2025, spread over a six‑year period up to 2030. The package aims to strengthen research, further and higher education, skills development and decarbonisation initiatives. A key element will be an annual increase of €150 million in core funding for higher education, designed to meet the growing financial needs of universities.

Additional allocations are earmarked for expanding healthcare and veterinary training places through the expressions‑of‑interest programme, as well as raising certain PhD stipends. The fund will also support the craft apprenticeship system, targeting 6,800 apprentice registrations in 2025, and provide resources to help micro, small and medium enterprises meet future skills requirements. Upskilling opportunities for the community, voluntary and social enterprise sector are likewise part of the plan.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) in Ireland has expressed interest in utilising the surplus accumulated at the National Training Fund. Its director, Mary Connaughton, noted that the changing workplace demands urgent upskilling, while the rising popularity of apprenticeships requires adequate resources. However, she also raised concerns about the lack of direct guidance on how these funds will be allocated.

Bennett’s contribution to the statement underscored the importance of continued investment in training and skills for the benefit of all Irish workers, particularly those from rural areas such as County Cavan. The debate reflected a broader commitment to ensuring that the National Training Fund remains a flexible tool capable of responding to evolving economic needs.

For more details see the Oireachtas record and the RTÉ article on the €1.5 billion boost for the National Training Fund.

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