Barry Cowen
Ceist:67. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proportion of Solas funding for further education to be performance based in the future. [51899/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 6 December 2017
Ceisteanna (67)
Freagraí scríofa
In the Further Education and Training Strategy SOLAS is committed to the implementation of a performance based funding model (strategic inputs and outcomes based funding model) which will emphasise the focus on the strategic rationale for Further Education & Training (FET) provision and the continuous improvement process.
SOLAS and the Education & Training Boards (ETBs) have worked on building the planning model incrementally over the last 3 years. Key to the implementation of performance based funding model is the use of smart ICT systems to track FET provision; its various inputs, outputs, and outcomes for over 300,000 beneficiaries on over 20,000 courses per year.
SOLAS, working with the ETBs over the last two years, has implemented two IT systems: the Programme and Learner Support System (PLSS), which records details of individual learners on FET programmes, and the Funding Allocation Request system (FAR), which is a macro planning tool. These systems have now been integrated for the planning of and reporting on 2018 FET provision.
Successful use of these systems in 2018 will provide the base for the future introduction of the performance based funding model. At this point the value of the performance related funding element has not been decided.
The SOLAS current system of funding of FET grants is fully compliant with the relevant circulars and within the funding year, funds can be switched between funding programmes and between ETBs based on reviews twice per year.