Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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113. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation group for the delivery of the new further education and training funding model; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the number of times that the group has met to date; the dates of these meetings; if minutes are taken in respect of the meetings of the implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51698/22]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The Final Report by the Independent Expert Panel on the Further Education and Training Funding Model Review was published in July 2022. SOLAS is in the process of establishing an Implementation Steering Group which will be chaired by the Chief Executive of SOLAS and will include representatives from my Department, SOLAS, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Education and Training Boards and Quality and Qualifications Ireland. The proposed terms of reference for the group, which will be considered at its first meeting to take place in the near future, are to:

- oversee and monitor the full implementation of recommendations in the Funding Model review;

- input and provide advice on how these recommendations can be implemented most effectively and efficiently, taking account of the context, history and differing characteristics across the FET system;

- identify and communicate any external dependencies on the ultimate success of funding model reform, and propose actions to mitigate this;

- commission particular pieces of work, and establish sub-groups as appropriate, to respond to particular work streams required to implement the recommendations and

- ensure awareness of and alignment with funding model changes across policy-maker, funder, provider and quality assurer.

The key work streams around programme harmonisation, data, costing, and financial systems will be addressed by sub-groups which may involve other relevant stakeholders as required.

Implementation will require a phased and incremental approach, ensuring that ETBs can plan and respond to the new and evolving funding model.