Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2021
757. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for a facility (details supplied); if his Department was informed of the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17106/21]
View answerMayo Sligo Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) announced the development of Mayo College of Further Education and Training (CFET) on 23rd March 2021.
Mayo CFET will take effect from Monday 12th April 2021, and will facilitate 450 fulltime and 500 part-time learners across the two campuses in Castlebar and Westport. Further educational and training opportunities are to be provided to school leavers, lifelong learners, returning learners, employers, employees, and the wider community.
MSLETB informed officials in my Department and SOLAS of these plans but there is no formal approval role for either body for the institutional change. ETBs are responsible for how they structure their further education and training (FET) provision. All ETBs engage with SOLAS and agree their annual priorities for FET provision within the funding envelope SOLAS provide and greater co-ordination of provision across campuses and institutions is well-aligned with the direction set out in the Further Education and Training Strategy.
