Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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92. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills whether consideration has been given to a purpose built apprenticeship centre on the northside of Cork city. [2023/24]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I?have not been made aware of any plans to develop a new campus on the north side of Cork city. However, my Department works collaboratively with all Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards on the?development?of capital projects in line with their?established masterplans.

Off-the-job training for apprenticeship is delivered in a number of different ways according to each programme. This is particularly a feature of the 25 craft programmes, and includes periods in training centres operated by ETBs. All of the ETBs have a strong tradition of delivering this form of training.

In planning their provision all ETBs work with partners, such as regional employers, to meet apprenticeship training needs. In decision making, ETBs consider the demand for apprentices, the ability to recruit instructors and the benefits of providing training at scale in larger centres where significant infrastructure and equipment is available. If an ETB believes that there is a need for facilities in any location they must analyse this and see how it aligns with regional and national need, in consultation with other ETBs and SOLAS.

My Department is currently supporting a number of major capital projects in Cork city, including a new Learning Resource Centre on the MTU Cork Campus, which is part of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme, as well as two major MTU upgrade projects including on the 1974 Building. It is also supporting investments in UCC under HESIF II.

Additionally, Cork ETB has recently submitted a Preliminary Business Case for its Bishopstown campus to develop a FET College of the future. This would act as a focal point for all FET services in Cork incorporating a new Digital FET Centre.