Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:352. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education when official recognition will be given to a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41835/20]
View answerTuesday, 8 December 2020
Questions (352, 353)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:353. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education if funding will be provided to a centre (details supplied) for 12 full-time staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41836/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 353 together.
The centre referred to by the Deputy is not a recognised school, but provides education outside of the mainstream school setting for children who have become disengaged from mainstream education.
While my Department primarily supports recognised schools, my Department does provide funding for a small number of alternative settings which provide education for the small number of young people who do not complete mainstream education.
The centre in question currently receives non-pay funding from the Department of €77,500 per annum. My Department also provided funding to the centre to assist with it's reopening in September in the context of Covid-19.
In addition Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) fund teaching hours, known as cooperation hours, for the centre. Overall responsibility for the funding of cooperation hours arrangement that supports the centre is under SOLAS, the agency responsible for Further Education and Training, which is under the remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science.
Officials in my Department have been in contact with officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who have made enquiries with Cork ETB on the matters arising. Cork ETB have indicated that they are engaging with SOLAS and Cork Life Centre to address the funding and support request from the Centre under this arrangement.
My Department has committed to a review of out alternative settings and this review will inform future policy in this area.