Mr. Paul O'Toole:

In the FÁS part of the equation, the reform involves structural and strategic aspects. We have been working with the Department and others to implement reforms on both fronts. In terms of structural reform, the organisation has downsized and transferred two significant divisions to the Department of Social Protection. In line with the enactment of the legislation, we will wind down FÁS, work with the Department of Education and Skills to establish SOLAS and transfer approximately 80% of the remaining staff along with the training centres to the 16 new education and training boards. As members can imagine, these structural reforms involve a lot of work in themselves.

Strategic reform relates to the fitness for purpose of investments in training. We are as aware as everybody else of the need to continually reflect on the impact of our work. In 2011 we introduced a new training strategy through which we sought to balance the resources available to us against our purpose. We identified various drivers of our training, including those with a primarily economic focus, that is, were designed to meet the needs of employers in terms of the skills provided, and the programmes that are primarily driven by social inclusion and equity. We are seeking to balance those drivers, measure their impacts and improve them. We have introduced 100 new or redeveloped programmes, many of which are tailored to specific skill niches. Others being improved through the common award system that was formerly under FETAC to ensure fitness for purpose. We are also improving how we survey and measure outcomes in this regard.

The SOLAS legislation anticipates that SOLAS will propose a strategy to the Department of Education and Skills on how its investment in further education and training can be optimised for the future. The intention is to prepare that strategy in the first six months of the life of SOLAS so that it can be brought to the Department for broader consideration. That strategic development process will be informed by a wide ranging consultation with the actors in the area and the review outputs of the NESC report on the impact of further education and training, both of which will give us a better understanding of further education and training.

Perhaps it is useful to explain the role FÁS will play in this process. Like many countries, Ireland operates a national framework for qualifications from level one to level ten. The FÁS training space is between levels three and six. We are primarily focused on entry and intermediate skills, whether in crafts or basic entry level for people who need to go further. We are constantly striving to optimise the impact of that.