Tipperary education board ‘committed' to minimising impact of course cuts on students

Irish Independent

5 days ago

Independent TD Mattie McGrath and Fine Gael TD Michael Murphy raised the issue during the Dáil's Topical Issues Debate on Tuesday, July 1.
Tipperary ETB held a special meeting of its board online on Friday, July 4, in which plans to address the challenging financial situation facing their Further Education and Training (FET) provision were outlined.
On Wednesday evening this week, a statement from the education board said: 'Tipperary ETB provided a comprehensive update to board members on the cost saving measures required to remain within budget as well as plans to ensure that all our students continue their education journey.
'Tipperary ETB notified our FET funding provider, SOLAS, in the final quarter of 2024 that we were facing increased costs in 2025. In February this year, the board of Tipperary ETB reviewed the contents of a letter from Tipperary ETB to SOLAS which advised of a potential funding deficit for this year.
'In April, Tipperary ETB received SOLAS's funding letter, which indicated a potential deficit of €1.5 million. The financial situation was discussed by the board at its May meeting.
'The minutes of this meeting and the special meeting on 4 July will be brought before the board for adoption at its next meeting in September. All adopted minutes are available on our website after each meeting.
'Our 2025 SOLAS budget allocation has increased from 2024 but does not fully comprehend additional expenditure on programmes, increased apprenticeship provision and the rollout of new initiatives such as the national tertiary programme.
'Tipperary Education and Training Board outlined to board members one such example that this allocation did not provide for the full cost of the new apprenticeship centre in Carrick-on-Suir in 2025.
'Despite sustained engagement with SOLAS on the matter, our allocation remains unchanged, and SOLAS has advised that Tipperary Education and Training Board must remain within its allocated budget.'
Tipperary ETB has undertaken a comprehensive review of all FET provision across the county to ensure alignment with the available budget whilst minimising the potential impact on its students, added the spokesperson.
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'Cost saving measures have been identified for the rest of 2025 across a wide range of course provision and operational costs, including local training initiatives (LTIs), contracted training courses, adult literacy courses, skills training, travel expenses, repairs and maintenance, advertising, and more.
Tipperary ETB also informed the board that ongoing financial constraints may impact apprenticeship provision due to the funding shortfall.
'While we await further communication from SOLAS on the funding position in relation to Apprenticeship provision, a reduced class schedule for the remainder of 2025 is likely, leading to fewer apprentices being enrolled than originally planned, and some apprenticeship classes may be cancelled altogether.'
The chairperson and deputy chairperson of the board, the finance committee, and audit and risk committee, were notified of the cost saving measures proposed by Tipperary ETB.
As a result of the unavoidable cost saving measures, Tipperary ETB said it is not in a position to continue supporting LTIs in Littleton, Cahir, Cashel and Tipperary Town, which supported in total 41 learners over 2024-25.
Funding to LTIs is provided on a year-to-year basis, September to June, subject to an annual review process. Tipperary ETB funded these courses in full for the academic year 2024-25 and all courses for these 41 learners concluded in June.
On Friday, June 27, Tipperary ETB met with the LTI chairpersons and coordination staff of the affected LTIs to outline the current funding position, and members of the board and Oireachtas members were also notified.
'Our decision not to continue funding for LTIs in Littleton, Cahir, Cashel and Tipperary Town for the rest of 2025 caused some public concern last week, however, Tipperary ETB is committed to working closely with the LTIs to minimise the impact on students who wished to progress on their learning pathway and students who may have hoped to enrol in September 2025.
'In addition, following detailed analysis, the Making Connections (Clonmel) and Scoil Chormaic (Cashel) LTIs are unaffected by this decision, as it was concluded that no alternative provision for their specific education services is available in the nearby locality.'
Members of Tipperary ETB management held follow-up meetings with three of the four affected LTIs last week, with a further meeting to take place this week.
'Tipperary ETB remains fully committed to supporting learners affected by the recent changes to local training initiatives. For those who completed their LTI programme in June and are seeking to progress to another Further Education and Training course, we are actively working to identify suitable alternative FET pathways available within their local area.
'Equally, we will engage with individuals who had hoped to enrol in an LTI this September to help them explore other viable options. We can confirm that the process of contacting students has already commenced.
'Our admissions team, in collaboration with our adult guidance services, will provide dedicated, one-to-one support to both current and prospective learners over the coming weeks and months to ensure they are guided towards appropriate opportunities that align with their goals.
'In addition, Tipperary ETB is exploring the provision of demand-led, part-time courses in local community settings, where feasible, to respond to identified needs and maintain access to education and training at a local level.
'Tipperary ETB appreciates the disappointment of local communities affected by these developments but wishes to reaffirm its commitment to ensuring that all students in the county have access to meaningful education and training opportunities despite the challenging budget constraints.
'In 2024, Tipperary ETB supported over 9,000 individual FET learners, with over 5,000 learners who completed their course with Tipperary ETB continuing to another full time or part time further education or training course with us.
'While Tipperary ETB continues to work closely with SOLAS, LTIs, local communities, and its partner organisations to manage its financial position, we will not be making any further comment at this time,' added the spokesperson.