Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2021
385. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the proposed development of further educational and training colleges of the future specifically in relation to campuses and colleges across Dublin city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49274/21]
View answerThe new National Development Plan (NDP) provides for a step up in capital funding for the further education and training (FET) sector. It is envisaged that expenditure will increase from less than €20m last year to approximately €100m by 2025. While the previous NDP introduced, for the first time, a dedicated capital envelope for the FET sector, the new NDP will now enable a transition to a more ambitious and strategic approach to the development of FET infrastructure.
The new NDP will support the development of FET Colleges of the Future, to consolidate high quality provision in key locations, while retaining a strong community-based presence.
Significant planning work and capacity development is now required to underpin this major programme of FET investment. Specific projects will be identified following review and appraisal in line with the requirements of the Public Spending Code.
