John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Many of the students who went on Enniscorthy PLC courses in the past five years have gone to UCD, Trinity College and Waterford Institute of Technology and they have become excellent students. Many have qualified as air hostesses, because there are courses in that area, and have taken up other job opportunities.

I welcome the fact that SOLAS is in this new position. I hope the new organisation will embrace what is needed in the country at present especially given the high level of youth unemployment. I trust the new boards will reflect the relevant expertise that is required. More important, the VECs need to come on board and buy into the system. The ETBs will be providing the service in future and it is important that they reflect the relevant job opportunities in each constituency and county.

I welcome the Bill, which represents a step in the right direction, but a good deal of work remains to be done between now and the end of 2014. The Minister referred to setting up the ETBs. There should be a speeding up of the process. There is an urgent need to establish some of the ETBs before the end of 2014. Perhaps there should be some pilot systems in operation before then to determine how they are working. Having discussed the matter with members of County Wexford VEC and the City of Waterford VEC, I have detected little urgency at present in bringing them together and ensuring they are ready for change and ready to embrace change.

They have yet to iron out all the union and flexibility problems that may arise, including longer working hours and flexible work practices. I am sure the Minister of State is capable of dealing with these issues to ensure SOLAS is a success.

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