Image: Minister James Lawless, Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science.
James Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025.
Before this, he served as Minister of State at the Department of Transport with special responsibility for International and Road Transport and Logistics; and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications with special responsibility for Postal Policy.
James Lawless was elected to the Dáil to represent Kildare North in 2016 and 2020 and prior to that was a member of Kildare County Council, serving as Mayor of Naas in 2015.
He studied Maths and Computer Science at Trinity College and Law at Kings Inns where he qualified as a Barrister. He practiced with a speciality in maritime/freight law.
He first got involved in politics as a commuter activist and remains a strong advocate for improving transport links, rail and bus services, better walking and cycling infrastructure including greenways.
Within the Dáil he has become a strong voice on Technology and Digital Policy introducing ground-breaking legislation on Social Media Regulation and on Cyber Harms. He served as opposition spokesperson on Science & Technology from 2016-2020 and as Chair of the Justice Committee from 2020-2024.
Key topics discussed:
Economic Development: Discussion on recent initiatives to boost local economies and support small businesses.
Education Reforms: Updates on new policies aimed at improving the education system, including funding for schools and teacher training programs.
Healthcare Improvements: Plans to enhance healthcare services, focusing on accessibility and quality of care.
Environmental Policies: Introduction of new measures to address climate change and promote sustainable practices.
Community Engagement: Emphasis on the importance of community involvement in decision-making processes and upcoming public consultations.
Minister James Lawless discussed several education reforms:
Increased Funding: Allocating more resources to schools to improve infrastructure and provide better learning environments.
Teacher Training Programs: Implementing new initiatives to enhance teacher skills and professional development.
Curriculum Updates: Introducing modernized curricula to better prepare students for future challenges and opportunities.
Technology Integration: Promoting the use of advanced technology in classrooms to facilitate interactive and effective learning.
Student Support Services: Expanding services to support students' mental health and well-being.
Image: Dr Emer Smyth, ERSI speaking at the ETBI National FET Conference, February 26th, 2025.
Emer Smyth is a Research Professor at the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI). She leads on a research programme with DCEDIY using Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) data and is joint research area coordinator for education. Her main research interests centre on education, child wellbeing, school to work transitions, gender and comparative methodology.
She has conducted a number of studies on the effects of schooling contexts on student outcomes, including Do Schools Differ? She led the Post-Primary Longitudinal Study (PPLS), which followed a cohort of young people from the first year of second-level education onwards. This study was the first of its kind in the Irish context, and yielded insights into important processes such as the transition to second-level education, the factors influencing examination performance, the impact of ability grouping, and gender and social differentiation in educational outcomes.
Her work has increasingly adopted a broader view of education, looking at the way in which out-of-school activities influence within-school learning and the impact of school processes on broader wellbeing, including socioemotional difficulties, anti-social behaviour and health behaviour. She has used GUI data to write reports and journal articles on youth mental health in the wake of the pandemic, fathers and child outcomes, the transition into primary school, and arts and cultural participation among children and young people, among other topics.
Educational inequality has been an important focus of her research, with work on an evaluation of the Youthreach programme, a review of the School Completion Programme and the evaluation of the DEIS programme. She is currently involved in the European PIONEERED project which takes a multilevel, multidimensional approach to analysing educational inequality.
Image: Matthieu Merciecca, Head of mission Economy-Education and French Centres of Vocational Excellence, Department of Education and Educational Action speaking at the ETBI National FET Conference, February 26th, 2025.
After over a decade in the private sector, working in favour of the knowledge economy, Matthieu Merciecca joined the French Ministry of National Education and progressively specializes on private and public partnerships and vocational training. Currently, head official for the national deployment of the new French generation of hubs for vocational excellence (Campus de métiers et des qualifications d’excellence). He is responsible for the strategic coordination and follow-up of over a 100 Campuses divided into 12 sectors of the future (aeronautics, automotive, health, crafts, etc.). He is also a member of the steering committee for the allocation of funding on the French national call for projects “skills and professions of the future” endowed with 2.5 billion euros intended to support the “France 2030” recovery plan
Our featured EU speaker and Matthieu Merciecca delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Campus des métiers et des qualifications d’excellence (CMQ) initiative in France. Introduced by David Leahy, Chief Executive of Galway and Roscommon ETB, Matthieu shared his insights on the role of CMQs in transforming vocational education and meeting the evolving needs of industry.
Matthieu discussed the history and objectives of the CMQ initiative, which aims to provide specialised training in key sectors such as aerospace, nuclear energy, automotive, healthcare, and crafts. He highlighted how CMQs are addressing the needs of both individuals looking to change careers and those with low educational attainment, while also working to engage underrepresented groups, including women in traditionally male-dominated fields like crafts.
He also spoke about France's commitment to lifelong learning and how the CMQs are supporting individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce. Matthieu recognised the collaboration between France and Ireland through the Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVE), a key partnership aimed at fostering innovation and developing future skills.
The session underscored the importance of creative, flexible vocational training systems in equipping individuals with the skills needed for a rapidly changing job market, leaving attendees with valuable insights into France’s approach to workforce development and education innovation.
Image: Niall Breslin speaking at the ETBI National FET Conference, February 27th, 2025.
Niall Breslin is a lot of things: a speaker, a teacher, a writer, a thought leader, podcast host, philanthropist, musician, athlete, polymath but most importantly - a seeker and speaker of truth. Niall Breslin is one of Ireland’s most inspiring mental health advocates and public speakers. An active polymath, he is also a bestselling author, podcaster, musician, philanthropist, former professional athlete and founder of the charity A Lust For Life. Niall’s personal experience has informed his journey to becoming a leading figure in mindfulness for individuals and organisations. He works alongside, and shares his expertise, with a diverse range of clients and audiences that include Apple, Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, EY, international NGOs, and The European Parliament. Notable points • ‘Me And My Mate Jeffrey,’ Niall’s best-selling autobiography, follows his journey through depression and anxiety. • Best selling author of a picture book series that helps children face difficult emotions. • Former professional rugby player representing Ireland and Leinster. • Chart topping singer and songwriter with power-punk band The Blizzards.
Niall Breslin, commonly known as Bressie, is an Irish musician, mental health advocate, and former professional rugby player. Niall had a difficult time in school. He struggled with the academic side of school. During this time he started to suffer from panic attacks although he didn't realise there were panic attacks, he thought he had asthma.
He struggled with his anxiety and his mental health, and he spoke about his inability to deal with his struggles. These struggles led him to sabotaging his relationships and his careers Niall reached a point where he realised he had to deal with his own issues by returning to academia to find a way to help others deal with their struggles too.
After finishing secondary school, Niall went on to study at University College Dublin (UCD). He earned a degree in Psychology. He holds an MSc in mindfulness. This academic background has played a significant role in his advocacy for mental health awareness and support. He is currently undertaking his PhD. In Trinity College Dublin.
Niall spoke about how his education in psychology shaped his understanding of mental health, and it was a driving factor in his decision to become a vocal advocate for mental well-being. Niall spoke about how we can use different exercises and techniques everyday to help regulate our nervous system.
