Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 Jan 1999

Vol. 499 No. 1

Written Answers. - Training Centre Funding.

John Bruton

Ceist:

871 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will provide additional funding to St. Raphael's training centre, Celbridge, County Kildare, for the provision of more places; and the reason he did not answer correspondence on this matter (details supplied). [28332/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Responsibility for funding expansions of vocational training centres, including the centre to which the Deputy refers, is a matter for the Department of Health and Children.

My Department provides funding for the employment of instructors to deliver general and special education services to trainees at the centres. The level of such funding is determined by the number of trainees attending a centre and qualifying for such tuition. St. Raphael's vocational training centre currently receives fund ing from my Department for the employment of three instructors.

I understand that my Department was in contact with the authorities at St. Raphael's immediately following its receipt of the correspondence to which the Deputy refers. I further understand that, arising from this contact, my Department was advised by St. Raphael's of its acceptance that the funding issue related to the Department of Health and Children and that the matter had in fact been resolved. In these circumstances, it was not felt that any further reply was warranted.