Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 154 of 3 October 2017, if he will provide a copy of the SOLAS board minutes in which SOLAS agreed to fund this development. [44336/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Part of the role of the SOLAS Board is to approve grants to Education and Training Boards, and other appropriate bodies for further education and training programmes as detailed in annual Further Education and Training Services Plans. The SOLAS Board does not approve specific developments.  However in line with section 53 of the Education and Training Boards Act 2013, sanction for Education and Training Boards to enter into lease agreements must be sought from my Department.

Sanction was provided for this lease agreement by my Department on 18 July 2017 on the condition that all relevant procedures and circulars were adhered to and legal and value for money matters were considered by Tipperary ETB.

The 2017 FET Funding Allocations for ETBs, including Tipperary ETB, were approved at the SOLAS Board meeting of 25 April 2017. The Tipperary allocation was reviewed at the Board meetings of 30 May and 5 September.

The funding allocation to Tipperary ETB incorporated apprenticeship funding, €57,000 of which will be used towards the development in 2017. Funding allocations may be subject to revision during the year should items arise, and during an annual mid-term review.

I have forwarded to the Deputy two sets of minutes for April and May 2017.  The September minutes are still in draft form as the Board has not met to agree them.