An additional eight places will be made available on the brewing and distilling degree programme at IT Carlow after a funding boost. The IT is to receive €723,000 for 77 additional places across seven of its newest courses.

The money comes from the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) and was announced by Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell-O’Connor in December. The objective of the HCI is to help provide additional capacity across the higher education sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise. The special fund totals €300m over five years – €60m a year from 2020 to 2024. The finance is being provided from the surplus in the National Training Fund (NTF).

“At the time of year when students are deciding which courses to select for their CAO applications, I am delighted to be able to announce almost 3,000 additional places on 138 courses over the next two years,” Minister Mitchell-O’Connor said. “Courses included those in the areas of environmental sciences, ICT and engineering, allowing more students to take up places on courses that address key skills needs for the economy and the future.”