Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I think both Deputies will understand the structure of ETBs and their governance, and to say otherwise would be to misrepresent their structure. To address the funding of further education, our Department has significantly increased its investment in further education and training in recent years, from about €909 million in 2020 to more than €1.055 billion in 2024, excluding capital expenditure.

As a State agency responsible for further education and training, SOLAS allocates this funding to the 16 education and training boards and other agencies to deliver FET based on agreed learner numbers and programmes. SOLAS has confirmed that the 2024 allocation to the Cavan and Monaghan ETB is of the order of €35.03 million, an increase from €34.15 million in 2023, again excluding capital expenditure. The allocation of this funding among the different FET programmes is a matter entirely for the individual ETB.

As both Deputies will be aware, there are representatives of the public, the community, employers and staff on the boards of ETBs, who act in an oversight and governance capacity.

See this speech in context