Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress made to date in relation to the establishment of SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25235/11]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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In July the Government announced the establishment of SOLAS as one of the key elements in the future development of the Further Education and Training sector. The SOLAS Implementation Group has been established to implement the announced changes in the sector. I am chairing the Group and its membership includes the Department of Education and Skills, FÁS and the Irish Vocational Education Association.

The group has met twice and progress has been made in discussions on the key elements of the Action Plan including the Organisational Mission, Structure, Staffing, Funding and Legislation for the new authority.

The SOLAS Implementation Group will prepare an Action Plan to implement the changes required and report to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Jobs on progress in the Autumn. The draft Action Plan will also be the subject of consultation with interested stakeholders before being finalised and published.