To ask the Minister for Employment and Learning whether he has any plans to introduce voluntary redundancy packages in the Further Education sector; and whether funding exists within his Department to cover the cost of voluntary redundancies within the sector.

My Department does not have the statutory authority to intervene in employment matters in the further education sector, including the introduction of voluntary redundancy schemes.

All staffing matters are the responsibility of each college as an employer.

In terms of the financing of any voluntary redundancies from the further education sector, I can say that there is currently no funding available from my Department.

I assume upfront redundancy costs will be centrally funded from the Department of Finance and Personnel.