Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Obviously, this whole area has been completely transformed in recent years. We have seen some progressive legislation in terms of the establishment of SOLAS and the ETBs by the Minister of State's predecessor. I do not expect to see the benefits of those three pieces of legislation to establish QQI, the education and training boards and SOLAS for a number of years. There is no doubt it was radical and reforming legislation which will benefit this whole area. In 2015, we will see the roll-out of the national strategy for SOLAS and apprenticeships coming on board. I presume the Department will put in place the necessary funding and resources to ensure we can maximise on the establishment of SOLAS. I do not know if the Minister of State wants to speak about the number of people SOLAS is hoping to take on. I think we are talking in terms of 70,000.