Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy James Bannon asked two questions, one of which was about JobBridge. That scheme is not within our area, but is within the remit of the Department of Social Protection. However, we are trying to work together across the Departments on the various training options, but as the scheme is not my responsibility, it would not be right for me to answer questions about it. It should be said the majority of people who go through JobBridge have a very successful outcome, as I observed in my previous role as a committee Chairman. There will always be cases where people will be unhappy with it and we must correct the problem immediately and move on. In general, however, the scheme is doing very well when compared internationally and I am happy with it. We work with the Department of Social Protection, as required, but it is separate from our area.

With regard to the reputation of SOLAS, how it will develop in the future and the previous body FÁS, FÁS has not been taken over fully by SOLAS. It is divided among Departments, but SOLAS has a very important role in developing the strategy for further education, setting out the policy and allocating money. I am very happy with this. The legislation provides that there must be a service level agreement between SOLAS and the Department. There are agreements between SOLAS and the stakeholders with which it engages such as the ETBs and so forth to provide courses. Already people have approached me, in my role as Minister of State, with issues about how SOLAS is judging and evaluating their schemes. I have checked all of them out and SOLAS is doing a great job to ensure it gets value for money and drive the proper reform and change required. In the past I would have had a concern about how the money was spent in this area, as did most members of the committee, but SOLAS is doing its job correctly to ensure it gets value for money.