Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the development of the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17582/13]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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SOLAS, the new education and training authority, is being established as a funding and oversight body under the aegis of my Department to ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes to learners. The training function of FÁS will be transferred to the 16 Education and Training Boards that will replace the existing Vocational Education Committees. It is intended that the programmes to be delivered will be integrated, flexible, value-for-money and responsive to the needs of learners and the requirements of a changed and changing economy. It is also envisaged that there will be a mix of provision made by public sector providers and private contractors.

Details of the SOLAS Action Plan are available on my Department's website.