Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2017
155. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the purpose and cost of the lease of a new Tipperary Education and Training Board, ETB, office in Thurles; and the amount that is being paid by SOLAS. [41354/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Government policy, SOLAS is working with Education and Training Boards, ETBs, to meet the expanding needs of the apprenticeship programme which has expanded by 54% since August 2015, 36% since August 2016, and is forecast to continue to expand out to 2020. Additional facilities are required to meet this increased demand for apprenticeship training.
In order to ensure that current facilities are fully utilised, and to assess where the additional facilities should be located, in 2016 SOLAS conducted an expression of interest exercise with all ETBs. Plans for future apprenticeship provision were developed following this exercise, including where to locate additional apprenticeship courses.
Tipperary ETB was selected for some of this additional training capacity. Tipperary ETB identified Thurles and the premises in question as the location for this additional capacity, given its central location and access to transport infrastructure including the motorway and train services.
Tipperary ETB is leasing an industrial premises in Thurles for the purpose of establishing a Further Education and Training, FET, centre for the county. The Thurles location was agreed with SOLAS as being suitable.
This centre will provide a number of apprenticeship courses that will serve the entire country. Initially, it will cater for four Electrical apprenticeships, one Electronic Security and one Construction Plant Fitting, and will include ancillary areas such as classrooms, toilets, canteen, offices, etc. Initially, the centre will provide training for Phase 2 of four-year apprenticeship courses. It is expected that additional courses will be offered in the future.
Thurles will also provide skills development and traineeship courses for people who are unemployed, employed or economically inactive, through contracted training, night training and other FET courses.
The building in question comprises 52,000 square feet plus approximately 12,300 square feet in yard space. The lease is a ten-year lease and the annual rent is €345,000 including maintenance charges. In order to facilitate the establishment of the training activity, the landlord will carry out the fit-out works estimated at €1.8 million. Once all works are completed, the overall rental cost to the ETB will increase per annum over the first five years or there is the option to pay for these as the facilities are commissioned and come on stream.
ETB expenditure on rent and fit-out costs related to FET activity will be fully funded by SOLAS.
