Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Stanton for raising this issue. It is not the first time he has raised this issue with me and I am aware that he has an interest in the area. The LTI is a project-based training and work experience programme operating under the 16 ETBs in partnership with community and voluntary organisations.  In 2021, the ETBs provided 212 LTI courses nationwide, involving more than 2,000 learners. Those are the latest figures I have. Training provision organised through LTIs is not intended to be permanent and it is this aspect that gives ETBs the flexibility to use resources in the community in response to emerging needs. This flexibility is one of the attractive aspects of the LTI programmes. They enable local communities to carry out valuable and necessary projects of benefit to their communities and are designed for unemployed people experiencing difficulty in gaining entry to the labour market.

The importance of the role played by LTIs within overall ETB provision is well recognised. I acknowledge that. All ETB provision is subject to annual funding requests and allocations based on learner demand. The national further education and training strategy, entitled Future FET: Transforming Learning National Strategy 2020-2024, sets out the ambition and vision for the further education and training system over this period. The expansion of any FET provision will be considered in the context of that strategy and of the new strategic performance agreements that are currently being agreed between SOLAS and the 16 ETBs.

This is an important development. SOLAS is sitting down with each of the 16 ETBs and asking about the strategic plan for further education and training in each area and how all the different provisions will fit into the strategic plan over its full term. My Department is committed to the continuing development of LTIs. We see the important services they provide to learners within communities, as well as the important benefit they provide to communities everywhere.

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