James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for her ongoing interest in the further and higher education sectors. The Deputy is right there is a need to revisit some of the operational parameters of the LTIs. LTIs are community-based training programmes designed to support individuals who face economic, social or educational disadvantage. This is incredibly important work. The training programmes offered are tailored to meet specific local needs, ensuring relevance and impact within their communities which they serve. They are also independent organisations. They have their own independent boards of directors. The relationship with their grantors, the ETBs, is governed by the Department of public expenditure guidelines Circular 13/14 entitled, Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. That circular guides the management, accountability and reporting of public funds allocated through grants. It applies to all bodies receiving such grants, including agencies, charities and other entities.

The operational guidelines also apply and were developed by SOLAS in 2013. A need to update those guidelines has been identified. Education and Training Boards Ireland, ETBI, is currently work on such a project leading the development of new operational guidelines to manage the relationship between ETBs and grant-funded organisations that provide education and training.

I have recently written to SOLAS seeking an update on that work to see where it is at with that because it is an important piece of work. The guidelines need revisiting at this stage. I expect those updated guidelines will be published in the coming months. I hope to be in a position to receive that further update following my correspondence with SOLAS. I hope it will be soon as well. It is part of a substantial work programme to make sure all of systems of processes are fit for purpose and up to date and that there is robust governance with public funds but also sufficiently versatile and flexible to deliver for the end user and ultimately the people using the services, and indeed providing the services. I agree with the Deputy. It is under way. I have recently corresponded with SOLAS on it. It needs to be done.

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