Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Further Education and Training Bill 2013 provides for the dismantling of FÁS and the creation of SOLAS which will be fundamentally different from FÁS, a semi-State body in which the public have lost confidence. SOLAS aims to radically reform and restructure the further education and training system in order that it can enjoy restored public confidence and provide relevant courses for learners.

What happened with overspending in FÁS was scandalous. Corporate governance was at an all-time low. The mismanagement - the non-management - was galling. First-class flights, expensive dinners, luxurious hotels were all paid for courtesy of the taxpayer. This was scandalous, disgraceful and must never happen again. Thankfully, such days are at an end. The Government will never allow mistakes like this to be made again. Accordingly, I am assured to see provisions in the Bill relating to whistleblowing. Sections 34 to 36, inclusive, provide for whistleblowing in cases where a person communicates the view that an offence has been or is being committed.

SOLAS will provide for a targeted learner-centred approach. It is important that we provide courses relevant to the current jobs market. Since the downturn, the jobs market has changed dramatically and continues to develop and transform. Today in the media there is mention of an increase in job creation, but I also note these are high-end jobs. The courses provided by SOLAS need to adapt to mirror changes in the jobs market. Those seeking training courses should receive the very best available that will equip them with skills which will assist them to find suitable jobs and careers. Continual research needs to be conducted to ensure the courses provided are ahead of the curve, that obsolete courses are ended and students' time is not wasted. Courses provided must also reflect the advances in technology and industries as they arise. They need to be more practical and serve the needs of jobseekers and employers. They need to be dictated by the needs of jobseekers and employers, not by the skills of course providers, as well as being dictated by skills shortages, not by the knowledge base of course providers.

These will be the objectives of SOLAS which I will be watching with interest to ensure they are met. I commend the Bill to the House.

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