Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2021
1087. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the City of Dublin Education and Training Board has unilaterally decided to withdraw VTOS and BTEI courses from a college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31966/21]
View answerCDETB acknowledge that BTEI and VTOS have been a very positive dimension of Cabra Community College for the past thirty years. Cabra Community College is a second level site that accommodated further education and training provision when the site had capacity. However, Cabra Community College is growing rapidly, and is also planning to open a special education class to respond to the increasing demand for special educational needs provision in the area. In order to meet this demand, further education and training provision will need to be relocated.
The nearest site with similar course and capacity to accommodate the provision is Colaiste Íde. Students will benefit from a larger campus with more student activities, more learners, increased supports available, better adult facilities such as a canteen/ coffee shop. They will also be in an adult only setting which is preferable from a child safeguarding position.
CDETB have indicated to my colleagues that they are committed to providing education provision across the city and will continue to look for suitable sites in the Cabra area to benefit all of their learners.
