Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1546 and 1547 together.

The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract Specialist Training Providers (STPs) to provide intensive, tailored training programmes and supports in specific settings for people with disabilities, whose needs that may not be catered for through non-specialist vocational training provision.

The total allocation from SOLAS for the STP provision in 2023 amounted to some €40m. Some €16m of this related to FET Training Allowances payable those learners on the STP programmes who were in receipt of social welfare payments prior to commencing their courses.

In recent years, there has been the shift in learner demand from specialist standalone provision to participation in an integrated FET environment with additional supports. This has resulted in a decrease in learner numbers in STPs, which has impacted the associated capitation fee funding. SOLAS has commissioned an independent evaluation of the Specialist Training Provision for People with Disabilities programme. The purpose of the evaluation is to generate evidence-based conclusions and propose recommendations about the quality, effectiveness, on-going relevance and overall value of vocational training that is currently delivered by STPs and the integration of this training within the wider further education and training provision by ETBs.

Once the independent evaluation is complete, its findings will be considered by SOLAS and my Department, in consultation with the specialist training providers. The review of the funding model for STPs going forward will be considered in that context.