Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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559. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if more support will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38483/24]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, my Department has significantly increased its investment in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector in the last number of years, from circa €909 million in 2020 to €1,055 million in 2024 (excluding capital allocation).

SOLAS is responsible for the strategic co-ordination and funding of the FET sector in Ireland, and it allocates funding to each of the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). SOLAS have confirmed that the allocation for Kerry ETB in 2024 is €47.236m (increased from €45.290 in 2023). The administration and allocation of this funding across different FET programmes is a matter for the individual ETB.

Kerry ETB advised my officials that its 2024 allocation is predicted on planned beneficiaries of 13,740. By the end of July, Kerry ETB has achieved 10,817 beneficiaries i.e., 79% of its planned annual provision. Kerry ETB further advised that for the remainder of 2024 the demand for FET provision remains very strong. Some provision in excess of its plan had to be deferred accordingly to ensure Kerry ETB remained within its funding allocation. However, Kerry ETB have confirmed that it will continue to deliver its planned FET provision for the remainder of 2024.

In respect of the O’Connell FET Centre in Caherciveen, the planned activity for 2024 is 1379 beneficiaries. By the end of July, the Centre had already achieved 1,232 beneficiaries (89%) and had more than 25 courses commencing for the remainder of 2024. This means that the O’Connell FET Centre in Caherciveen will exceed its planned activity beneficiaries for 2024.

However, I am aware that there is a significant funding pressure in the FET sector this year and I am working with my officials and SOLAS to address the overall funding need in the forthcoming Supplementary Estimates, with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.