Thomas Byrne
Ceist:119. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the value of funds to be made available for further education of the €174 million set aside for higher education. [42749/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 17 October 2019
Ceisteanna (119)
Freagraí scríofa
Budget 2020 provided a Capital allocation in higher and further education including PPPs of €174m for the Higher Education, Further Education and Training, and Research sectors. This will support infrastructure investments to expand student places and upgrade existing infrastructure. €18m of this figure is provided for Further Education and Training (FET).
The allocation received in Budget 2020 for FET is in line with the Capital Investment plan 2016 to 2021 and the additional €5m being provided will see another step towards the development of a dedicated capital programme for further education and training. The quality of the settings in which further education and training is delivered is a strong theme emerging as the new Further Education and Training Strategy is being framed. Alongside this, capital investment is required to support the Government’s plan to expand apprenticeship training. To deliver on this, capital investment in Further Education and Training in 2020 will focus on:
- Supporting the expansion of apprenticeship training and in renewing equipment to support new apprenticeship curricula,
- Beginning a programme of capital investment in integrated further education and training provision to replace provision in smaller unsuitable premises, and
- Improving the condition of existing further education and training buildings, including to address access and health and safety issues.