Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 36: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of times the SOLAS implementation group has met since it was established; if he will commit to publishing legislation for the establishment of SOLAS by mid 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19400/12]

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 met nine times to date and the focus of the Group has been on identifying the high level issues that will arise in the context of the development of this complex programme of change and putting in place the structures to resolve these issues. Drafting of the required legislation is part of this process and the Heads of a Bill which have been approved by Government will shortly be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting purposes. The Bill will be published as soon as the drafting process is complete.