Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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166. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the future of a school (details supplied) at a centre in view of the fact that the grounds are for sale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46198/19]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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Cork Education and Training Board (CETB) currently provides two thousand ‘co-operation hours' annually to the Sacred Heart House located in the Bessborough Centre in Cork.  The co-operation hours scheme is a longstanding arrangement under which Education and Training Boards (ETBs) provide teaching hours for settings run by a range of organisations. In this case CETB employs 3 teachers who deliver education and training to early school leavers in the Bessborough Centre.  No funding is provided by my Department or CETB to the centre for its early school leaver provision.

I understand from CETB that they are aware that the Sacret Heart Order wishes to dispose of the property and that a sale is being pursued. They are currently engaging with the Bessborough Centre to explore options for the continued delivery of education and training to early school leavers.

Cork ETB previously funded a Local Training Initiative (LTI) in horticulture on the site. The provision previously delivered on the site has already been relocated to the Ardfoyle Centre in Cork.