Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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818. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on the further education and training, apprenticeship and skills policy division's work in leading a periodic critical review of SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27248/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Officials in my Department have begun the process of a Periodic Critical Review (PCR) of SOLAS. A Supplementary Request for Tender (SRFT) was published through the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) on the 27th March last, seeking expertise in carrying out organisational reviews of public bodies and the reporting of findings, along with any recommendations.

My officials are still completing the evaluation and award phase of the tender process, and a preferred tenderer has been identified to carry out the review. We expect the contract to be in place with the successful company shortly.

A Steering Committee to oversee the project has been established and has met once thus far to approve the procurement documentation and expected deliverables. A Working Group has also been established which will monitor the progress of the project. The working group comprises representatives from all relevant internal policy units within the Department. A project team oversees the PCR made up of officials from the appropriate units within my Department. The PCR is likely to take circa six months to complete.