Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there will be a root and branch review of all course provision under the new SOLAS once it is established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25892/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Once established, SOLAS will have strategic responsibility for the training currently delivered by FÁS and the further education currently delivered by VECs. The programmes will be integrated, flexible, value-for-money and responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changed and changing economy. SOLAS will also ensure that further education and training programmes are more flexible and responsive to meet the particular needs of jobseekers and enterprise. As part of this process, courses and their curricula will be constantly reviewed in consultation with the VECs, which are being rationalised into 16 Education and Training Boards to ensure that they are fully aligned to the skills needs identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). These reviews will be facilitated by the FAS National Skills Database, regular contact with the Department of Social Protection, together with information from a range of sources, including direct contact with employers, independent surveys on course outcomes, and national and international research on skills needs.

Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of places available on FÁS IT courses in each year between 2008 and 2012; the number of persons that completed FÁS IT courses in each year between 2008 and 2011; the number expected to complete such courses this year [25889/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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This is a day to day operational matter for FAS. The information sought by the Deputy is set out in a document.