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The Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairí Quinn, T.D. is seeking expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced persons for positions on Board of An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS).

The Minister said: “This is an opportunity for suitably qualified and experienced members of the public to play an active role in the major reform of the Further Education and Training sector. SOLAS will lead the process of revitalising the sector and will be responsible for co-ordinating and funding programmes across the country.

“Given the problems we face with unemployment, it is more important than ever before that the Further Education and Training sector is ‘fit-for-purpose’ for all learners. I believe that SOLAS will bring a much needed focus to this part of our education system for the first time.

“SOLAS will help to implement the Government’s Pathways to Work Strategy and will concentrate particularly on supports for the unemployed and long-term unemployed.”

Applications can be made at: http://www.publicjobs.ie/publicjobs/campaignAdvert/8764.htm and the closing date is 9th August 2013.

ENDS

Notes for the Editor:

The legislation provides that the members Board of SOLAS shall be appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation.

It is envisaged that the Board would meet approximately 12 times per annum and members may also serve on committees established by the Board.

The term of office of members of the Authority will be a maximum of 5 years. In order to facilitate a rolling system of Board membership a number of the initial appointments will be for 3, 4 or 5 years.

Members will be required to devote as much time to duties on the Board as is necessary for the proper and efficient discharge of their duties, and to comply with the relevant provisions of the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.

The Board is composed of 13 individuals (one of whom is the CEO, who is an ex-officio member of the Board): A chairperson and 11 representative members.

Members are entitled to claim travel and subsistence allowances in accordance with Government guidelines.