The organisation referred to by the Deputy is recognised in statute as the body which collectively represents a number of statutory bodies under my Department’s remit. Similar to the funding provided by my Department to school management bodies, an annual grant of €168,650 is provided to this body as a contribution towards the annual general running costs of carrying out its core business. The Department also supports a number of posts based within the body for the purpose of supporting Departmental priorities such as driving the reform programme and the Further Education and Training strategy for the sector.
These supports are provided in accordance with the Department's service level agreement with the body concerned.