Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for his statement. Why has there been €110 million, or 16%, reduction in funding under the heading, skills development, which predominantly funds further education? It is clear this is not the result of issues related to temporary funding. This has been driven by subheading A5 - grants to Solas for further education and training. There has here been a €120 million reduction, or 19%. That is a 19% cut irrespective of any temporary funding in 2022. The core funding of the further education by these figures is the lowest it has been since I have been on the committee. It was higher even in 2019. The other source of funding for skills is the National Training Fund. I flagged concerns last year when the budget was announced that the planned expenditure on the fund was being reduced by €82.5 million. I would like an explanation for that.