Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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563. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of funding for Dundalk Institute of Technology; if she is aware of the concerns of the Teachers Union of Ireland regarding this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46132/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions, including Institutes such as Dundalk Institute of Technology (DKIT). The HEA allocates this funding to the institutions and the internal disbursement of funding is then a matter for the individual institution.

I understand that DKIT has indicated an operating deficit for 2014/15 and has already accumulated significant accumulated deficits from previous years. Details I recently announced in relation to an infrastructure maintenance grant of €750,000 for the Institute will provide some help in addressing the deficit position.

The HEA has agreed with DKIT that an external financial expert is appointed to robustly review current systems and performance, agree a financial plan, which will return the Institute's operational budget to a breakeven position within three years, and recommend a programme of remedial action to the Governing Body.

My Department, through the HEA, will continue to work with DKIT to monitor the financial position and to ensure that any issues with regard to financial sustainability continue to be addressed.