Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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98. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the analysis or review of cost saving in respect of the new OGP procurement framework for ETBs that has been undertaken; the findings of such analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43871/18]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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In September 2018, SOLAS engaged with the sixteen Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to undertake a review of contractor training expenditures within the period 2013 – 2018. The ETBs were requested to provide information on course provision, commencing 2016 through to 2017, and thereafter compare to similar course provision in 2018 [post OGP framework agreement] of which there are 157. One of the areas considered related to the overall value of contracted training procured; and the numbers in training for each of the past five years.  Table 1, attached at appendix 1, sets out the data available from the 16 ETBs for the period 2013 – 2017.  Not all of the ETBs had data available for all years, in particular 2013, 2014 and 2015. The figures below only relate to the spending reported and learners participating relative to this spend.

In relation to course provision, on analysis of the data provided by ETBs, there were 23 areas for which there was no previous provision in 2016 or 2017.  For the remaining 134 courses listed, there were 70 instances where the cost of the courses increased in 2018 relative to 2016/2017. There were 31 instances where the cost of courses decreased. For the remainder of 33 courses there is no data yet available for 2018, where contracts may not yet have been tendered or awarded.

In relation to the number of companies which received a contract for training in each of the last 5 years, Table 2, attached at appendix 2, sets out the data received per ETB.

Table 2 – Number of companies awarded a contract for training

Table 1 – Contract training expenditure 2013 – 2018