Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
641. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify the plans for centres of excellence; the locations of each centre, and the update of the roll-out of each centre at the timeframe for delivery. [46319/23]
View answerThere is currently a network of five NZEB Centres of Excellence operational; Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB, Cork ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Waterford Wexford ETB and Limerick Clare ETB. The most recent NZEB Centre of Excellence in MSLETB is due to be officially opened shortly. A sixth centre in City of Dublin ETB is under development and City of Dublin ETB are already delivering NZEB Fundamental Awareness training. NZEB courses are also provided in Tipperary ETB with further provision due later this year and in 2024.
These centres are delivering training in areas such as NZEB Ventilation Systems, NZEB Retrofit, NZEB Plumbing, NZEB Carpentry amongst others ensuring that the construction industry has the correct skills to deliver on our climate targets. In line with Action BE/23/18 of the Climate Action Plan Annex of Actions 2023, these centres are committed to expanding training programmes based on climate necessity and work together to ensure curricula are kept-to-date and new programmes are developed where needed.
Under the National Recover & Resilience Plan 2021, these Centres committed to 4,550 places for learners by Q4 2023. This target was met in July 2023 and the total enrolment in NZEB courses to date is 6,002. In addition, an e-Mobility Centre is currently under development and I will be in Westmeath next month to announce details of that.
