Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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286. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to expand and increase the levels of capital funding available to further education centres such as ETBs through existing funding streams and programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36063/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Further Education and Training (FET) provides learners with key intermediate level skills, enhancing the productivity and adaptability of the Irish workforce. It is delivered in a range of settings throughout the country, with FET providers firmly embedded in local communities. A priority for my Department, is to improve the quality of the settings in which FET is delivered, in order to better respond to the needs of learners and employers.

The recently announced National Development Plan includes a €300m capital envelope for FET over the course of 10 year period 2018-2027. With €65m already agreed for 2018-21, this represents an additional €235m over the remaining period of Plan.

The additional capital supports will be prioritised to address issues with the condition of the existing capital stock, to roll out critical new apprenticeship syllabi and courses and to consolidate the provision of further education and training in modern fit-for-purpose facilities that enable the delivery of high quality integrated programmes.

The total actual and planned capital allocation for Further Education and Training purposes 2016 to 2021 is outlined below: