Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional funding made available for institutes of technology and further education colleges in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37537/20]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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273. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the additional further education and training places provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan for the 2020-2021 term. [37538/20]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) received a significant increase in budget allocation from SOLAS in 2020.  The funding allocation to CMETB in 2019 was €18,533,460, and the provisional allocation for 2020 is €25,779,000.

A diverse range of full time and part time courses are available across the further education and training (FET) sector and learners commence programmes throughout the year. While there has been a significant increase in CMETB's allocation from 2019 to 2020, it should be noted that the Covid-19 health emergency has affected the diverse range of FET programmes in learners in a number of ways.  Funding has been provided to meet Covid costs, including to provide additional supports to learners, but accurate participation figures and a final financial outturn will only be available after year end.

There are no Institutes of Technology in either Cavan or Monaghan at present.