Government announces additional capital funding of €5.4 million for Further Education and Training sector

by | Oct 2, 2023 | Apprenticeships, education | 0 comments

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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD today announced funding of €5.4 million in further education capital grants for Education and Training Boards (ETBs).

The new funding is in addition to €8 million issued in April under the Devolved Capital Grant to the 16 ETBs to invest in small-scale FET investment priorities at a local level under Project Ireland 2040.  

Minister Harris said:

This funding will be welcome news to the FET sector and will help deliver on ETBs ambitious plans for the future.

Over 120 projects across the country have been approved. Each will have a meaningful impact on students and their learning experience.

Today’s extra cash injection adds to the €8 million euro my Department issued to the ETBs in April under the Devolved Capital Grant.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Rabbitte said:

Delighted to see Galway Roscommon ETB receive €190,000 in the latest tranche of funding for further education capital grants to ETBs. Every piece of investment goes to developing skills to fuel Ireland’s future. FET is for everyone, is available in every community and offers a pathway to take you as far as you want to go.

In recognition of the impact the €8 million devolved funding in April has had at local level, further projects valued at €5.4 million have now been approved for delivery under the Devolved Capital Grant.

This approval follows an Expression of Interest process, approved by the Department in early summer, to identify further suitable projects in 2023 for funding.

The funding announced is in respect of 127 projects across 14 ETBs with a combined value of €5.4 million.

Projects approved cover health and safety issues, small-scale energy efficiency measures, equipment and requests relating to positive improvements for learning spaces. 

Speaking on the announcement, the Chair of SOLAS, Sean Aylward said:

On behalf of the SOLAS Board, we warmly welcome the ongoing commitment by Government to capital investment in the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector.

This funding in the form of devolved capital grants for the Education and Training Boards across the country will go a long way towards improving the facilities available to learners in the FET sector and to work towards achievement of the sustainability targets set forward in the Climate Action Plan.