Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when he expects the amalgamation of FÁS, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council to create SOLAS to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6675/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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The passing of the primary legislation is required for the establishment of SOLAS. The Further Education and Training Bill, 2013 was published in January this year. The Bill, among other things, provides for the establishment of SOLAS, the dissolution of FÁS and the transfer over time of the FÁS training division to the Education and Training Boards that will be established following the enactment of the Education and Training Boards Bill, 2012.

The timing for establishment of the new authority is dependent on the enactment and entry into force of this legislation. The Second Stage of the SOLAS Bill in the Dáil is scheduled to commence on 28 February 2013.