Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the lack of permanent contracts in SOLAS and FÁS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17753/17]

Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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194. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to cases of workers that have been employed for over eight years by SOLAS through agencies to fill the same post and that are unable to seek permanency in view of the fact they are considered contract workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17754/17]

John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

I understand from SOLAS that they procure the services of subject matter experts, and certain services for temporary work load requirements, through a number of employment agencies.  SOLAS have informed me that the work being carried out would be of a temporary nature and would not lend itself to a full-time permanent appointment.  They are aware, however, that a small number of agency workers would have been provided to FÁS/SOLAS by different agencies in excess of an eight year period but this would not have been a continuous period over this timeframe.

My Department has agreed a Work Force Plan with SOLAS and a recruitment process has commenced for a number of positions across the organisation. The majority of these positions are open to all applicants.