John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a timeline for the establishment of SOLAS and the progress to date in establishing SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25915/12]

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, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of the Taoiseach, and a representative of the private training sector. This is part of a wider reform programme that also includes the rationalisation of 33 VECS into 16 Education and Training Boards. The Group has been meeting regularly to drive the process forward. The Heads of a Bill for the establishment of SOLAS have been approved by Government and have recently been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting purposes. The Bill will, inter alia, provide for the establishment of SOLAS and for the dissolution of FAS. I expect to publish this legislation in the autumn session.