Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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478. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has met formally with the CEO of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board in the past three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52805/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I have not had the opportunity to meet with the CE of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (DDLETB) since my appointment as Minister in February. My Department’s responsibility for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is exercised through SOLAS under the Further Education and Training Act 2013. However, given the significant investment my Department makes in ETBs, I do engage with their representatives when invited, to support strategic alignment and collaboration.

As the Deputy was advised in the response to PQ 38797, both Minister Harkin and I have visited most of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country since being appointed. We have found these engagements to be deeply informative and valuable in supporting our understanding of the delivery of FET at local and regional levels. I did meet the Director of FET and the Director of Organisation Support and Development from DDLETB earlier this month when I visited a Community Training Centre in Dun Laoghaire. I remain committed to availing of further invitations and opportunities, and should an invitation be extended to meet with the CE of DDLETB, it would, of course, be considered subject to my availability.