James Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He was appointed to this role on 23 January 2025.
Since his appointment as Minister, he has driven significant progress across further and higher education, research and skills; reducing student fees, expanding capacity in high-demand courses and building flexible pathways into education and employment, particularly through apprenticeships.He has overseen major investment in research and infrastructure, including the launch of the €750 million INSPIRE research programme and securing €4.55 billion under the National Development Plan.
He has delivered landmark reform in the Technological University sector through the introduction of a full Professorship grade, enhancing academic leadership and supporting regional and national development.
Prior to this, he served as Minister of State at the Department of Transport and the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
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.