Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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279. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the amount of other non-pay budget granted to County Cavan VEC and County Monaghan VEC for the years 2012 and 2013; and the ONP budget allocated to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16658/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The following table displays the combined total non-pay allocation approved for Co. Cavan and Co. Monaghan Vocation Education Committees for the years 2012 and 2013; and the non-pay  allocation to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board in the subsequent years 2014 to 2016. The 2017 figure is the initial allocation to the ETB.

Since 2013 the ETBs have experienced reductions in their Schools and Head Office ONP allocation. A key factor in relation to funding pressures has been the impact of various budget measures introduced in 2013. The context for such budget measures was the need to reduce Government expenditure so that the country’s finances could be stabilised and brought back to affordable levels.

The improvements in the economy have now started to result in some improvements in the funding levels for the ETB sector. The first step in this regard was the additional once-off funding that was provided to this sector in 2015 and 2016.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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280. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to outline the rationale for the allocation of the other non-pay budget to Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board, CMETB, in view of the fact that student numbers at second level have not diminished and services traditionally provided across the ETB have in fact greatly increased owing to the vast numbers of the community availing of these services due to the recession. [16659/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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A key factor in relation to funding pressures has been the impact of various budget measures over recent years. With regards to the current year ONP funding (2017) and the rationale used, this has been calculated taking into account student enrolment numbers and head office costs. The 2017 initial allocation is higher than the initial 2016 allocation by over €150,000.

Since 2012, the overall grant has reduced slightly. This is to be expected as grant rates decreased in line with national budgetary cuts while enrolments in Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) have remained static. The context for such budget measures was the need to reduce Government expenditure so that the country’s finances could be stabilised and brought back to affordable levels.

The improvements in the economy have now started to result in some improvements in the funding levels for the ETB sector. The first step in this regard was the additional once-off funding that was provided to this sector in 2015 and 2016. CMETB received additional funding in the amount of €121,951 in 2015 and €443,000 towards the end of 2016.

The ONP grant is provided for the general running costs of schools and head office. SOLAS is the national agency with responsibility for the development and provision of further education and training which is responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changing economy. Funding for initiatives provided in response to the local employment and economic situation is primarily routed through SOLAS.