DUBLIN – In a move to dismantle systemic hurdles in the Irish education system, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless announced a €1.46 million investment on January 15, 2026.1 The funding, part of the broader Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2026, is specifically engineered to support care leavers and members of the Traveller and Roma communities, ensuring that financial and social barriers do not dictate a student’s academic potential.2+1
The allocation targets three cornerstone initiatives designed to move beyond traditional “one-size-fits-all” education, focusing instead on the specific needs of learners transitioning from State care or marginalized backgrounds.3
The “Dormant Accounts” Engine: Turning Forgotten Funds into Opportunity
The €1.46 million is a targeted slice of a larger €46.97 million government-wide initiative.4 Under the Dormant Accounts Act, funds that have remained untouched in banks or insurance policies for over 15 years are reclaimed by the State to fund social and educational equity projects.
Minister Lawless emphasized that these interventions are not just about “filling seats” in lecture halls, but ensuring student success and retention.5
“By investing in apprenticeships, student accommodation supports, and industry-aligned degrees, we are strengthening pathways to opportunity,” Lawless stated. “We are ensuring further and higher education works for everyone, not just the privileged.”
Three Pillars of Targeted Support
The funding is divided into three distinct operational streams, each addressing a specific point of friction in the student journey:6
- Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation (€360,000): This programme tackles the persistent under-representation of the Traveller community in skilled trades.7 It provides direct bursaries to learners and offers financial incentives to employers who provide apprenticeship opportunities to community members.
- Student Accommodation Bursary (€500,000): Perhaps the most critical intervention in the current housing climate, this bursary assists Traveller, Roma, and care-experienced students with the rising cost of independent living.8 For many, this support is the difference between completing a degree and dropping out due to financial exhaustion.
- P-TECH Digital & Business Skills (€602,500): Focused on the North East Inner City (NEIC) initiative, this funding supports learners in the “Pathways in Technology” (P-TECH) degree programme.9 This innovative tertiary model allows students to earn a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital and Business Skills without the traditional “CAO points race,” combining academic study with direct industry mentorship.10+1
The Human Impact: “Peace of Mind”
Beyond the balance sheets, the Department highlighted the lived experiences of those already benefiting from the pilot phases of these schemes.11 Students reported that the bursaries allowed them to quit “night shifts and full-time hours” that were compromising their academic performance and mental health.12+1
“It’s not just financial support—it gave me stability,” one recipient shared. “The relief and happiness I felt after receiving the funds made a significant difference in my life.”
Aligning with the National Access Plan
This 2026 rollout is a key delivery mechanism for the National Access Plan (2022–2028), which aims to make the student body more representative of Irish society.13 By focusing on “Care Leavers”—young people aged 18–25 who have spent at least six months in the care of the State—the Department is addressing a demographic that has historically faced the steepest climb toward higher education.
| Initiative | Target Group | Primary Goal |
| TAIP | Traveller Community | Skills-based career entry |
| Accommodation Bursary | Roma, Traveller, Care Leavers | Housing security & retention |
| P-TECH DABS | NEIC / Disadvantaged Areas | Digital & business degree pathways |
