Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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26. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the options being put in place by his Department to fund large-scale capital projects for education and training boards; if the eligibility for funding will include the construction of new headquarters buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36834/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Prior to the current National Development Plan (NDP), there was no dedicated capital investment envelope for the further education and training (FET) sector. The most urgent issues were addressed as part of the Department of Education’s school building programme (plus a small equipment allocation) but there was little opportunity to take a strategic or long-term approach to investment.

The current NDP marked a turning point. For the first time a dedicated capital envelope was established for the FET sector. Available funding increased from €5.5m in 2018 to €16.7m in 2020 with planned investment of €32.5m in 2021.

At this time, funding is being largely directed to address the most immediate health and safety issues, and to support the expansion of apprenticeship provision. Also, a Devolved Capital Grant of just over €8m has been extended to the FET sector for 2021. This grant can be used by ETBs for a range of capital priorities, including preparatory work for larger investments, such as the commissioning of building condition surveys.

My Department is working with SOLAS and the ETB sector to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required for the implementation of a FET capital programme over the coming years. The National Development Plan is currently being reviewed and the outcome of this process will inform the level of resources available for the programme, including large-scale FET capital projects.

With regard to the provision of new headquarters buildings for Education and Training Boards, I wish to advise that this is a matter for the Department of Education.