Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

524. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her views that outdoor educational training centres operated by the education and training boards could be included in capital funding schemes for the purposes of refurbishment and updating, as they are presently excluded from such capital funding schemes; the reason they are excluded, and if there is recognition of the need to provide assistance arising from their importance to, among other things, the local economies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27724/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Funding for outdoor education centres is approved on the basis that they are self-financing and that their financial activities would be separate from the overall ETB finances. Accordingly, my Department's annual grants are contributory in nature and the allocations go mainly towards the core staffing costs involved in running the centres.

In relation to the provision of general capital funding, I wish to advise the Deputy that in view of the funding constraints on my Department's capital budget imposed by the need to provide essential school accommodation, my Department is not in a position to consider applications for funding towards capital projects. However, in an emergency situation, it is open to ETBs to submit applications for funding for minor works on behalf of Outdoor Education Centres and these will be considered in the light of competing demands and available resources.

I have no plans to change the current funding arrangements.