Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister for his reply on this matter which we have discussed in this House and in committee on numerous occasions. The Minister stated that it is hoped discussion on the legislation will be completed in the autumn session. Is he reasonably confident that the new structures will be in place by the end of this calendar year? There is confusion among members of the public, who did not have the same opportunity as Members of this House to engage on these issue, in regard to whether FÁS still exists, if it is providing courses and whether SOLAS has been established. There is concern around the provision of new courses by FÁS and the abandonment by it of courses which are no longer to current labour market needs. Perhaps the Minister will provide an assurance that he will try to allay the concerns about the creation of a lacuna in terms of the abolition of FÁS and the establishment of the new structure. We all dread uncertainty in regard to the delivery of a public service. This does nothing for the morale of the people working in the system, be it in FÁS or the VECs, which play an integral role in the area of further education and training.

Perhaps the Minister will also outline if the role of SOLAS will be around the development of courses rather than the provision of services to customers.

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