Capital spending for FET sector tripled
A new phase of capital investment in the further and higher education sectors has been launched by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris and Minister of State for Skills Niall Collins.
In what represents a step change for the sector, some 45% of the total allocation of €430 million will be directed to further education and training, including the expansion of skills centres and apprenticeship programmes across the country and the establishment of Further Education and Training (FET) Colleges of the Future.
The funding available to the FET sector through these new programmes alone will be more than triple the total capital expenditure in the FET sector over the past four years.
Deputy Brendan Smith has welcomed the accelerated investment in the FET sector in particular.
"This very significant funding will enable a major upgrading and expansion of colleges and facilities increasing the number of places for school leavers including apprenticeships."
He also expressed a hope that Cavan Institute could tap into the increased funding stream.
"For sometime I have been raising with the Department the need to provide additional permanent accommodation at Cavan Institute. In response to my most recent Parliamentary Questions in Dáil Éireann on this issue, Minister Harris gave a clear response that Cavan Institute will benefit from this new government investment programme," confirmed Deputy Smith.
Cavan Institute was the first dedicated Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) College established in the country.
"Its success since the College complex was provided at Cathedral Road, Cavan in 2004 means that there is an urgent requirement for additional permanent accommodation at that site. I will continue to support the ETB and the Institute in their work to secure the much-needed additional accommodation and I look forward to an expansion of the College’s facilities," said Deputy Smith.
In addition, the new programmes announced today will see significant capital investment in the higher education sector, including a programme dedicated to strengthening Technological Universities.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “The next phase of investment will position the further and higher education sectors to together cater for rising demand by offering a comprehensive range of complementary options for learners. This includes increasing numbers of school leavers seeking further and higher education places - including apprenticeships – as well as those seeking to reskill and upskill throughout their lives.
“Capital investment will also support an ambitious transformation agenda, realising the full potential of digital technologies and ensuring that our campuses are flexible and future-proofed.
Minister Harris thanked the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS for managing these ambitious investments in third level education.
The four new programmes, with a combined funding envelope of €430 million to 2025, are as follows:
A Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund focused on investments that provide essential additional capacity and strengthen the role of Technological Universities as drivers of regional development
A second round of the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which is open to all higher education institutions and will co-fund strategic projects to a maximum of 50%
A FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, which will support projects that can help drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence, and unified tertiary planning.
A Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund, which will support smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure, ensuring that works are progressed within the context of an overall strategic plan for the building and aligned with FET College of the Future principles
Each of the four funds has a tailored application process to reflect its specific objectives, within the context of an overall vision for the sector as set out in the National Development Plan.
While there are separate funding streams for higher education institutions and ETBs, collaborative proposals are strongly encouraged and this is addressed in assessment frameworks.