Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2021
305. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress on funding for the further education and training sector under the current National Development Plan, part of Project Ireland 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26963/21]
View answerThe current National Development Plan (NDP) provides for the first time a dedicated capital envelope for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector. Expenditure increased from €5.5m in 2018 to €16.7m in 2020 with planned investment of €32.5m in 2021.
Expenditure of €16.7m in 2020 provided an opportunity to support a range of programmes including:
- Targeted support of €4.2m for further education and training apprenticeship equipment across 11 ETBs to support new and modernised apprenticeship syllabi.
- A Devolved/Minor Works Grant of €5.55m allocated across 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to provide funding for minor capital projects and equipment renewal. This devolved funding allowed ETBs to prioritise and undertake a range of small-scale works and/or equipment renewal.
- Expenditure of €2m in respect of 15 capital projects spanning a range of objectives, including health and safety, access, and capital requirements emerging from Brexit. Three of the 15 projects related to works commenced in 2019, with the remaining 12 projects going to site in 2020.
- An ICT grant of €5m to provide devices for disadvantaged students during the move to online and blended learning as a result of COVID-19.
For 2021, the total available allocation for the FET sector is €32.5m. An allocation for apprenticeship capital investment of €10m was announced earlier this year. Approval of €8m for a Devolved/Minor Works Grant has been conveyed to SOLAS for the FET sector. Other funding streams in 2021 will be allocated to priorities including emergency health and safety works, projects in the pipeline from 2020 and strategic opportunities.
