Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2014
174. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the position regarding integrating the community training centres into the education and training boards (details supplied) in respect of a person on the northside of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19122/14]
View answer194. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to set out his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding plans to integrate community training centres into education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19291/14]
View answer205. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills to explain the position regarding integrating the community training centres into the education and training boards in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19439/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174, 194 and 205 together.
Through a series of decisions the Government decided to replace 33 vocational education committees (VECs) with 16 new entities, to be known as education and training boards (ETBs), and to establish SOLAS to replace FÁS. The proposals in relation to SOLAS, as agreed by the Government, envisage a key role for the ETBs in relation to the future delivery of further education and training in an integrated manner. Significant developments have already taken place with the establishment of ETBs on 1 July 2013, and the establishment of SOLAS on 27 October 2013. 7 SOLAS training centres and their staff transferred to 4 ETBs on 1 January 2014. The second phase of transfer of 12 SOLAS training centres to a further 7 ETBs will take place on 1 July 2014. SOLAS and the ETBs have established a Transfer Implementation Group to ensure that there is a smooth transfer process. Community Training Centres (CTCs) are independent community-based organisations, each with its own board and governance structure. CTCs are managed locally and funded directly from SOLAS or ETBs. In the transfer of functions from SOLAS to ETBs, business continuity is paramount. My Department has no plans at present to alter existing arrangements in relation to CTCs and their work in meeting the training and employment needs of early school leavers, primarily aged between 16 and 21, in the community will continue. The Department is meeting with representatives from CTCs this week to brief them on the Programme of Reform for the sector.
