From Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, has announced the appointment of Kevin Marshall and Siobhan O’Shea to Board of SOLAS for a 5-year term.
Kevin is Industry Sector Lead – Education at Microsoft Ireland. He is also currently a Non-Executive Director of Rehab Ireland, the IBEC representative on Senior Cycle Committee, ICT Steering Committee (NCCA) and Visiting Fellow, Centre of Research in Education and Technology (CRITE).
Siobhan is the Director of Client Services – Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Cpl Resources Ltd. She is also currently on the Boards of Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Employment and Recruitment Federation and the Open Doors Initiative.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said:
"Following a recruitment and assessment process which attracted a number of highly qualified candidates, it was my great pleasure to consider these appointments to the Board of SOLAS.
“Having consulted with my colleagues the Minister for Social Protection and the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, I am delighted to announce these appointments which bring a wealth of experience and expertise to SOLAS. Both Kevin’s and Siobhan’s contribution to education and skills policy over many years are testament to the constructive role that they will play on the SOLAS Board and I wish them well in the important work ahead.”
The Minister thanked the outgoing members of the SOLAS Board for their commitment and contribution during their terms of office.
The recruitment process was managed by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) and candidates who have been brought forward in this process may form a panel from which future vacancies may be filled during the course of the year.
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS), the Further Education and Training Authority, was established in October 2013 under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. Under the aegis of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, SOLAS is responsible for the strategic co-ordination and funding of the Further Education and Training (FET) Sector.
The legislation sets out the overall structure of SOLAS and provides for its functions including:
Section 10 of the Further Education and Training Act 2013 provides that the Board of SOLAS shall consist of 13 members appointed by the Minister, of whom one shall be the Chairperson, one shall be the Chief Executive Officer, and one shall represent the interests of learners in the further education and training sector. Of the remaining 10 members, 2 shall be appointed following their nomination by the Minister for Social Protection, while 8 shall be appointed by the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science following consultation with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Social Protection.
The Board meets regularly, and members may also be required to serve on committees established by the Board.
The Act provides that members of the Board shall have experience and expertise in matters connected with the functions of SOLAS or matters connected with finance, trade, commerce, corporate governance or public administration.
The Board is collectively responsible for promoting the success of SOLAS by leading and directing the Body’s activities, providing strategic guidance to the organisation and monitoring the activities and effectiveness of its management.
The gender balance on the Board, following these appointments is 7 female and 6 male.