John McGuinness
Question:554 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Education and Science the status of an application for funding by St. Catherine's Senior Travellers Training Centre, Carlow; and if approval has been given. [24187/01]
Written Answers. - Traveller Education.
Like other training programmes for early school leavers, the senior Traveller training programme is delivered in an out-of-school setting in rented premises. Essential refurbishment of these premises has to be met within the annual budget for the running costs of the programme as allocated through the public service Estimates. The chief executive officer of County Carlow VEC has written to my Department's further education section seeking approval for expenditure of £450,000 to restructure and refurbish the premises which houses St. Catherine's Senior Travellers Training Centre. If the VEC submits a priority list of essential work, in particular, work that has health and/or safety implications, to upgrade the premises on a phased basis, my Department will fully consider the matter.