Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear clearly what the Deputy is saying in regard to Ballyhaunis and the importance of that project for County Mayo. It certainly is the case that these funding calls are open to all ETBs. More than that, I expect all ETBs to come forward with projects. I want to be able to fund €430 million of capital expenditure across further and higher education between now and 2024, 45% of that being in the further education and training space. In fact, I want to do more than that. I would like us to have what we have never before had in further education and training, which is a pipeline of projects. That has been done really well in the Department of Education in regard to schools building projects. We all know where schools are on building lists. We might argue over the pace of development but we all know where schools stand. We need to have shovel-ready projects in further education and training in order that we can fund a significant tranche, amounting to €100 million worth of projects, each year by the middle of the decade and also to ensure we have projects constantly coming on stream.

It is up to each ETB to prioritise, which is important. Each board needs to decide on the two or three big projects it wants to see progressed. If they do so, do it well and put in good applications, I believe we can see good news for each ETB across the country in this round of allocations.

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