Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
922. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties in the discussions on the funding promised for a centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39082/21]
View answer926. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education the status of talks with an educational facility (details supplied). [39144/21]
View answer944. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if it will be ensured that the current staff of a centre (details supplied) are retained in their current roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39298/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 922, 926 and 944 together.
I am aware of the issues raised by the Centre referred to by the Deputies. My officials have met with representatives of the Centre on a number of occasions and are open to further engagement.
The Centre sought additional funding of a minimum of €50,000 and additional funding for 12 staffing posts. In addition, the centre sought security of tenure for staff.
My Department increased the funding which was previously available to the centre by €100,000 to bring its contribution to €177,500. In response to the request for teaching supports, my Department identified a long term strategic framework to support the centre in this regard, including provision of teaching support in the interim.
To date the Centre has indicated that none of the proposals set out by my Department to support the centre are acceptable and it has indicated on a number of occasions that talks have broken down. My Department has recently written to the centre outlining the terms of a sustainable framework to support the centre in to the future.
Further to this correspondence, my Department has received additional correspondence from the Centre and will be replying directly to the Centre’s Board of Management. My Department will continue to work with the centre as long as it is willing to remain engaged.
