Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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120. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 503 of 8 February 2022, if the review by the expert panel on the further education and training model has been received to date by his Department; when the review report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12797/22]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has not received the report of the expert panel commissioned by SOLAS to review the funding model for Further Education and Training.  I understand that the panel undertook extensive research, consulted with a wide range of stakeholders and tested funding ideas and approaches via a series of workshops with ETBs.  Although the process has been delayed by COVID restrictions, SOLAS advised that a draft of the Review would be submitted to my Department in Q1 2022.

I understand that SOLAS expects to adhere to this timeframe and forward the draft to my Department this month.  Following the finalisation of the draft report, SOLAS will publish the Review report.  

This Review is an important enabler for the FET Strategy and I look forward to receiving the report and considering its findings and recommendations.