Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
81. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the work undertaken by SOLAS in the establishment of the further education and training capital and property working group; and the way this forum will support the delivery of capital projects in education and training boards. [58655/21]
View answerThe new National Development Plan (NDP) provides for a step up in capital funding for the further education and training (FET) sector which will enable a transition to a more ambitious and strategic approach to the development of FET infrastructure.
Significant planning work and capacity development is now required to underpin this major programme of FET investment. My Department is working with SOLAS and the ETB sector to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required.
As part of its remit, the working group referred to by the Deputy is contributing to the development of processes around applications for funding of FET capital projects in line with the rules and procedures set out in the Public Spending Code and Capital Works Management Framework.
