Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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857. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of personnel currently employed by SOLAS head office; the skill sets employed within this group; the total salary cost associated with this group of employees; the total costs associated with the rent of the new head offices together with the fit-out cost of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1698/15]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, was established in October 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. SOLAS, under the aegis of the Department of Education and Skills, is responsible for the strategic co-ordination and funding of the Further Education and Training sector.

The total number of FTE staff currently employed by SOLAS is 211.

SOLAS staff operates across three divisions:

1. Strategy & Knowledge (Strategy & Evaluation, Operational Planning & Stakeholder Engagement, Programme Improvement); 2. FET Services & Supports (Apprenticeship, Central Programmes, Strategy & Supports); 3. Resources (ICT, Finance, HR/Organisation Development).

The skill set of staff employed within the divisions include FET Planning & Programme Development, Management, ICT, Finance, Research, HR, Communications, Administration and Clerical. It should be noted that SOLAS provides support (mainly ICT) to both the Education & Training Boards and the Department of Social Protection.

The total salary cost associated with the FTE 211 employees is €12.37m.

Shortly after the establishment of SOLAS, it exited the former FÁS HQ and relocated its Head Office to smaller, more suitable premises in Dublin 1. The basic rent of the new building equates to €14.50 (plus vat) per square foot and is highly competitive for the area. The total cost of the rent is €1.4m per annum, including vat and will generate substantial savings based on the cost of the former FÁS HQ. This figure includes the amortisation of the fit-out costs, which will be borne by the landlord, over a five year period.