Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 163: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when it is expected that the new education and training authority SOLAS will be finally set up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16180/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Following the Government Decision to create SOLAS, an Implementation Group was set up to establish SOLAS. I am chairing this Group and its membership includes representatives from the Department of Education and Skills, FÁS, the Irish Vocational Education Association and the Department of Social Protection. The Group has been meeting regularly to drive the process forward. Legislation is being prepared by officials in the Department. A public consultation process with stakeholders is currently underway. In addition, a number of projects are currently being undertaken to ensure the smooth integration of the further education and training sectors.Given the complex elements involved, including enacting appropriate legislation, it is expected that the process of establishing SOLAS will be completed by the end of 2012.