Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan, Brendan Smith has welcomed funding of €435,000 for Cavan Monaghan ETB, which has been announced today. 

Deputy Brendan Smith commented, “Under this funding programme, Cavan Monaghan ETB will be in a position to make decisions around small-scale Further Education Training (FET) investment priorities locally, and to ensure that projects can be advanced quickly and efficiently.  

“The grant also allows Cavan Monaghan ETB an opportunity to consider future accommodation needs and to procure professional expertise to conduct condition surveys of existing buildings, with a view to a strategic approach to estate planning and development. 

“In addition, funding has been provided for the introduction of an emergency health and safety works programme and further detail will be announced in the coming days.” 

The investment announced today of just over €8 million nationally forms part of Project Ireland 2040 and will be provided via SOLAS for the delivery of small-scale and necessary infrastructure and improvement works, and for the purchase of equipment.   

Fianna Fáil colleague and Minister of State for Skills and Further Education, Niall Collins added: “The current National Development Plan, part of Project Ireland 2040, provided a dedicated capital envelope for the FET sector for the first time.  

 “The Devolved Capital Allocation is a priority investment within this context because it assists the ETBs to carry out minor infrastructural improvement works, make small but important improvements across their estates, and to procure equipment, including ICT equipment.  I am confident that these measures will support an enhanced learning environment within the sector.” 

ENDS