Vol. 547 No. 1
1271 Mr. Aylward asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will review the application for funding by County Carlow Vocational Education College for finance towards the redevelopment project at St. Catherine's senior travellers training centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2203/02]
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.
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 would fully consider the matter.
