Department of Further and Higher Education

Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

On 1 July, Ireland takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU for the 8th time.

In an uncertain world, our strength is reinforced when we stand together.

In Ireland, the seanfhocal or proverb “Ní neart go cur le chéile” reminds us that we have “Strength with unity”.

[Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU 2026 @Ireland2026eu]

Ministers @1hildegarde and @lawlessj are in Brussels today attending Education and Youth Council 🇮🇪 🇪🇺

🎥 Watch their joint media statement:

[Roxana Mînzatu @RoxanaMinzatu]

🇪🇺🇮🇪 Good first exchange at EYCS with @lawlessj, Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.

We discussed the priorities of the Irish upcoming presidency as well as the role of education for our democracy and Preparedness of our Union.

We need to adapt our investment in education and skills policies.

Also, we need to have a strong alignment on the upcoming Education Package, tackling the digital transformation and strengthening AI literacy across Europe.

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister @lawlessj is before the Joint Committee on Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science this afternoon.

You can watch the committee meeting here: https://t.co/CYJa4YDMyH

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister @lawlessj and Minister @MarianHarkin
are in the Dáil this afternoon, taking parliamentary questions on Further and Higher Education.
You can watch the Dáil proceedings live here:
https://t.co/89rAzOgefV

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

📚What does the Student Accommodation Strategy mean for students?

🔗https://t.co/9bufgTfmNY

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

👩‍����Minister @lawlessj , today announced the publication of the second National Student Accommodation Strategy, setting out a focused plan to support the delivery of 42,000 student beds by 2035.🏫

🔗https://t.co/9bufgTfmNY

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

📢Applications are now open to become an ordinary member of the board of @Leargas.

❗️Closing Date is 3pm 1st April.

➡️Click here for more information:
https://t.co/5VeHciBcG1

[Irish Foreign Ministry @dfatirl]

At a time of global turmoil and great challenge, we look for signs of hope in the everyday.

To Irish people and friends of Ireland everywhere, we wish you a very happy St Patrick’s Day!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh.

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

@lawlessj 🔗More at: https://t.co/i6vHHGqmxX

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

📢 Minister @lawlessj appoints 12 members to the new National Science Advice Forum.

Impact 2030 outlined the plan for stronger science advice structures, and this marks the next step.
The Forum will be convened and chaired by Government Science Advisor Prof Aoife McLysaght. 🔬

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

@lawlessj 🔗More at: https://t.co/gF3d47Pmdo

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister @lawlessj announces €75m to expand healthcare education supporting new programmes, new facilities and 461 extra Health and Social Care training places. 🩺

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister @lawlessj and Minister @MarianHarkin are in the Dáil this morning, taking parliamentary questions on Further and Higher Education.

You can watch the Dáil proceedings live here: https://t.co/fqrpeDa5Yo

[Skillnet Ireland @SkillnetIreland]

"This Government, working closely with Skillnet Ireland, is committed to ensuring that employers and workers have access to the targeted, flexible upskilling they need to adapt, innovate and grow.” said Minister @lawlessj, @DeptofFHed, speaking today at Skillnet Irelands North-East regional roadshow enterprise event at the Creative Spark Hub in Dundalk, Co Louth.

Research from Skillnet Ireland shows a strong demand for upskilling amongst businesses in Ireland’s North-East region. Read the full report, Ireland’s Talent Landscape 2025: Future Skills Challenges of Irish Business here: https://t.co/fOvc0Wwwdj

Read the news release: https://t.co/vFhjWjLTxj

@DeptofFHed @ErinMcGreehan @M_O_Jordan @DundalkSkillnet @LearningWaves @EoinMorton

#SkillnetIreland #skills #SMEs #research

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister Lawless is having a series of meetings with MEPs from the parliamentary Committees responsible for research, innovation and tertiary education, with a particular focus on the proposals for the next Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ program.

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Minister @lawlessj is in Strasbourg to engage with the European Parliament in preparation for Ireland’s Presidency in the second half of the year.

This morning, Ministers Lawless and Chambers had a joint meeting with the Irish MEPs.

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

Reminder: closing date for applications to the 2026/2027 @EUI_EU Funded PhD Programme is tomorrow, 15 January.
Applications taken for programmes in:
👉Law
👉Economics
👉History and Civilisation
👉Political and Social Sciences
🔗https://t.co/ThBzKEZfUq

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

📢Closing date extended!
👀Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) seeking new members for it's Appeals Panel.
📄Apply now: https://t.co/p8OWxDM3Zk

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

📢 A reminder that the closing date for applications is Monday the 12th of January at 3pm!

[Department of Further and Higher Education @DeptofFHed]

👉Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) are seeking new members for its Appeals Panel.

💡If you have experience in tertiary education, quality assurance or public-sector governance — submit your Expression of Interest by 3 pm on 12 January 2026

🔗https://t.co/p8OWxDLw9M