Ministers welcome the introduction of new courses to Limerick universities

OVER thirty courses in Limerick Universities have been added to Springboard+ programme for 2025.

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Limerick County TD Niall Collins has welcomed the launch along with his party colleague, Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless TD, of the Springboard+ 2025 programme.

Minister Lawless confirmed that TUS Shannon will have 24 courses and the University of Limerick will have 9 in the new programme. 

Nationwide, the Springboard+ 2025 programme will have almost 8,000 free and subsidised places on higher education courses.

This year, courses are available in areas such as Infrastructure planning; Sustainable Building; Renewable Energy; Digital Skills, Cyber Security and Artificial Intelligence.

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Two thirds of people considering a Springboard+ course want to ‘futureproof their careers’ in an ever-changing workplace. That’s according to research published today by the Higher Education Authority.

The Springboard+ programme is funded by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and in 2025, a total of 7,719 places are available on 249 courses delivered by 37 higher education institutes nationwide. 

Springboard+ is making 26 ‘micro-credentials’ from the course list available for those interested in shorter courses to upskill in very specific areas.

Minister Collins said: "The Springboard+ initiative offers so many opportunities for people who might want to upskill or reskill. It is notable this year that courses are placing a strong focus on ‘futureproofing’ careers in a rapidly evolving job market which is very welcome.

"There are courses on everything from strategic leadership to supply chain management and I strongly encourage anybody in Limerick who is looking at upskilling or reskilling to look at what is available through the programme and see if something suits them."

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At the launch of this year's programme, Minister Lawless said: “Springboard+ is one of the most impactful investments this Government makes in the further education of its people. These courses are designed to respond directly to evolving skills demands, particularly in fast-growing and high-impact sectors. It offers thousands of learners the chance to upskill or reskill in areas where Ireland needs talent from artificial intelligence to infrastructure planning to cybersecurity.

“As Minister, I’m proud to support Springboard+ with €34.4 million from the National Training Fund. This programme empowers people to study alongside work and personal commitments with courses that are heavily subsidised or free, making upskilling more accessible and achievable for everyone. 

"I encourage everyone to look at what is available as whether you’re advancing in your current career, pivoting to a new one, or stepping onto the career ladder for the first time, Springboard+ is designed to open doors in an affordable, flexible way that has real career impact.”

Since 2011, over €400m has been spent on Springboard+ and over 110,000 people have benefited from the programme to date.

Springboard+ courses are delivered both online and through blended learning, and last up to one year. Courses are available on a part-time or full-time basis, offering more flexibility to learners.

Applications will open on June 3, for courses starting between July 1 and October 31 2025.