Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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85. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding funding for issues at a centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40616/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Education Centres are independent statutory bodies under Section 37 of the Education Act (1998) and are managed by voluntary Management Committees elected annually and comprised mainly of teachers.

My Department is the main source of funding for Education Centres through direct budget allocations towards administrative staff pay and operating costs. All funds held by Centres are subject to compliance with the general rules governing bodies in the public sector.

The Centre is question has been allocated €233,244 in 2018 for core funding, local course funding, minor works and ICT grant.

In addition, the Centre receives funding from the support services which are funded by my Department for the purpose of designing and delivering continuing professional development courses and other professional support for teachers throughout the country (e.g. support service pay for room hire, photocopying, preparation and checking of travel and subsistence forms). Education Centres also raise funds through local activities and from other organisations.

I wish to inform the Deputy that officials of my Department have been engaging with the Education Centre in question regarding its funding and how it can be utilised.