The organisation to which the Deputy refers is the body recognised in statute as the body which collectively represents Education and Training Boards. It is not established in statute as a public body.
Similar to the funding provided by my Department to school management bodies, an annual grant is provided as a contribution towards the annual general running costs of carrying out its core business.
The Department also supports a number of posts for the purpose of supporting departmental priorities such as driving the reform programme and the Further Education and Training strategy for the sector and supporting linkages with SOLAS.
These supports are provided in accordance with the Department's service level agreement.