Education and Training Boards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 October 2019

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Questions (196)

Thomas Byrne

Question:

196. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the educational services provided at a centre (details supplied); if planning is under way to provide a location for services to be provided in another location; if the location has been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43135/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) currently provides two thousand ‘co-operation hours' annually to the Sacred Heart House located in the Bessborough Centre in Cork.   The co-operation hours scheme is a longstanding arrangement under which Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide teaching hours for settings run by a range of organisations.  In this case CETB employs 3 teachers who deliver education and training to early school leavers in the Bessborough Centre.  No funding is provided by my Department or CETB to the centre for its early school leaver provision.

I understand from CETB that they are aware that the Sacret Heart Order wishes to dispose of the property and that a sale is being pursued. They are currently engaging with the Bessborough Centre to explore options for the continued delivery of education and training to early school leavers.

Cork ETB previously funded a Local Training Initiative (LTI) in horticulture on the site. The provision previously delivered on the site has already been relocated to the Ardfoyle Centre in Cork.