Vol. 541 No. 2
1078 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will approve an application by County Carlow VEC for funding towards the refurbishment of a premises which houses the senior Travellers training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21657/01]
Like other training programmes for early school leavers, the senior Traveller training programme is delivered in an out of school setting in rented premises. Essential refurbishment of these premises has to be met within the annual budget for the running costs of the programme as allocated through the public service Estimates. There is, as yet, no capital fund at my Department's disposal for such projects in the further education sector.
The chief executive officer of County Carlow VEC has written to my Department's further education section seeking approval for expenditure of £450,000 to restructure and refurbish the premises which houses St. Catherine's senior Travellers training centre. In a letter to the chief executive officer dated 19 September 2001 it was indicated that an investment of that order would not be feasible within the constraints of the existing budget. It was further indicated that, if the VEC submits a priority list of essential work – in particular work that has health and/or safety implications – to upgrade the premises, on a phased basis, my Department will fully consider the matter. The VEC's response to this offer is now awaited.
