Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 July 2014
75. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason the Kildare-Wicklow Education and Training Board received no funding for SOLAS activities and that this programme is administered in Athlone or Waterford instead of being administered from Naas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31730/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe reform of the further education and training (FET) sector envisages a key role for education and training boards (ETBs) in relation to the future delivery of FET in an integrated manner. Part of this involves the transfer of training centres from SOLAS to ETBs. 7 training centres and their staff transferred to ETBs on 1 January 2014 and the remaining 12 training centres transferred to 7 ETBs on 1 July 2014. Each training centre moved to the ETB in whose functional area the centre is located. 5 ETBs, including Kildare and Wicklow ETB, did not receive a training centre.
There has been extensive discussion on this matter between ETBs, SOLAS and the Department. While recognising that the Education and Training Boards Act 2013 provides for all ETBs having training functions, the paramount consideration for my Department is the continuity of training services for learners.
An agreed position for 2014 is in place whereby ETBs with training centres retain primary responsibility for training and continue to provide services to areas which do not have training centres. There is a process underway to consider the position for 2015 and beyond and a number of options are being examined.
