Steven Matthews (Wicklow, Green Party)
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80. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans regarding a further education facility (details supplied); if he proposes to expand the existing site for use by the further education facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6122/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The new National Development Plan (NDP) provides for a step up in capital funding and a significantly more ambitious phase of capital investment in the FET sector. My Department, in conjunction with SOLAS, has undertaken significant planning work to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required to underpin and support this major programme of FET investment.

I will shortly confirm a framework for applications for new FET capital projects, in line with the provisions of the Public Spending Code and the Future FET Strategy. This will provide Education and Training Boards (ETBs) with a framework to put forward new projects that will both upgrade and enhance FET infrastructure and that will advance the priorities of the Future FET Strategy – building skills, fostering inclusion and facilitating pathways.

As part of this process, each ETB will have the opporutnity to put forward priority projects within the context of an overall estates strategy. Kildare Wicklow ETB may wish to consider submitting a proposal for the Further Education facility referred to by Deputy under this process.