Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 17 October 2024
344. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been reduction in funding from Solas to ETBs; if less funding from the NTF is being provided to fund courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has significantly increased its investment in further education and training (FET) in recent years, from about €909 million in 2020 to more than €1.055 billion in 2024, excluding capital expenditure. The 2024 allocation to SOLAS comprises €524.19m from the Exchequer (including approx. €19 million of temporary funding) and €531.27 million from the National Training Fund (including approx. €11 million of temporary funding).
The Deputy might be interested to note that the 2023 allocation to SOLAS was €1.022 billion (excluding capital expenditure) of which approx. €507 million was allocated from the Fund. Of this allocation, circa €37 million was temporary funding for apprenticeship. In Budget 2024, my Department secured the conversion of approx. €30 million of this temporary funding into the base for apprenticeships. As the Deputy will appreciate, there has been no reduction in the allocation to SOLAS from the National Training Fund.
I am aware that the Education and Training Boards have been responding to funding pressures in 2024 largely arising from the need to prioritise capacity in craft apprenticeship as well as reflecting the demand-led nature of FET provision. In doing so the objective has been to minimise disruption to learners as much as that is possible.
