Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
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862. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the outcome of an application for a further education and training centre based in Ballyhaunis, which was submitted in June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5942/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not been made aware of any plans to develop a further education and training centre in Ballyhaunis. SOLAS and Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB (MSLETB) have both confirmed that no application in respect of a proposed development of this nature was submitted for consideration to my Department in 2021 or thereafter.

Ballyhaunis is not identified in MSLETB’s recently submitted FET Estates Strategy, either in respect of current provision or medium to long-term planning. ETBs were requested in the development of their estates strategies to include any intention for new or changed location of provision. Ballyhaunis is not a location that the ETB has notified to SOLAS as being under consideration for a further education and training centre.

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. In 2022, my Department launched the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. This programme will support major investment in the Mayo region, with a FET College of the Future planned for Castlebar.