Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 223: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to publish the findings of the recent consultation on SOLAS; the timeframe for the establishment of SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9273/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The SOLAS Implementation Group, which I chair, initiated a stakeholder consultation process towards the end of last year concerning the establishment of SOLAS - the new further education and training authority. It published a consultation paper to assist in that process and submissions were received from a wide range of interested parties. I intend to hold an information seminar for stakeholders shortly as part of the ongoing consultation. Following this seminar it is my intention to publish a summary of the outcomes of the consultation process.

Given the complex elements involved, including enacting appropriate legislation, it is expected that the process of establishing SOLAS will be completed by the end of 2012.