The data collected has two purposes:

1. Operational: SOLAS is statutorily required to communicate with learners and the other PLSS Participants to evaluate the FET sector in Ireland under the Further Education and Training Act (“FET Act”). The data must establish the eligibility of learners and applicants to attend FET courses and assess their employability. The data will also facilitate SOLAS in meeting the demands of the labour market to coordinate and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of FET provision in compliance with its statutory functions in the FET Act.

2. Reporting: The data will allow SOLAS to co-ordinate and evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the FET sector in Ireland (as mandated by the FET Act). At the FET learner level, SOLAS has a statutory obligation to report on the education/training and funding received by learners. The ability to provide appropriate, informed and comprehensive reports further serves to allow SOLAS to help the FET sector meet the demands of the labour market and to effectively coordinate an efficient FET sector in Ireland. At national and European level, SOLAS must report (as a statutory requirement for funding) on the FET sector pursuant to the ESF Regulation 1. Until 2027, under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020 (“PEIL”), SOLAS must justify the ESF co-funding that it seeks via the DES by way of reporting. SOLAS may also be randomly audited by the European Commission to verify and validate Ireland’s ESF claim for funding.

Yes, all FET learners engaged on an ETB SOLAS funded course are requested to complete the same data fields. This enables the ETB to report and reflect accurately their provision and support their legal obligations in relation to auditing and funding requirements.

It is necessary to process personal data about an individual’s application to and attendance on a SOLAS funded FET programme. SOLAS (Irish: An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) - 'Further Education and Skills Service') is the State agency tasked with building a world class Further Education and Training (FET) sector to fuel Ireland’s future. 

The applicant’s data may be processed for the following purposes:

1. To contact them about their application

2. To administer their application and to assess eligibility for a SOLAS-funded FET programme in a particular year

3. To follow up with the applicant after the application is received as required

4. Maintenance of the learner record (including personal and course details)

5. Management of course processes (including commencement, completion and progressions)

6. Providing advice and support through the FET provider Guidance Services where available

7. To contact learners after course completion to measure course impact in relation to further education and training participation and/ or employment

8. To track, evaluate and assess the outcomes of the FET programme

SOLAS will be the only agency that will have access to the full data set (including sensitive data requested in section 5 of the Learner Details Form).

Each ETB and ETB centre will only have access to the data that it populates with PLSS (sections 1-4 from the Learner Details Form and not sensitive data in section 5 relating to ethnic and cultural background, etc.) as per its functions and responsibilities under its respective founding legislative acts.

The ETB person(s) responsible for the management of the course and learners whilst participating on the course will have access to individual learner files.

The other PLSS Participants have legislative mandates to fulfil in relation to FET provision in Ireland. Currently the parties include: The Education and Training Boards, Department of Education and Skills, Department of Social Protection, QQI and the Higher Education Authority.

To support efficient processing of the application, an ETB may need to check the accuracy of personal information provided with external data sources, for example:

1. Verification of applicant identity

2. Confirmation of DSP payment or Personal Public Service Number (PPSN)

3. Obtaining additional information to decide eligibility for exemption of fees

4. Verifying the completion of previous study

• SOLAS can see all learner data from sections 1-5 on the learner details form, including sensitive data.

• The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) see data in PLSS relating to sections 1-4 of the learner details form to allow them to provide and administer the FET programme.

• The Department of Education and Skills receives some detail about PLC learners: name, address, course code and PPSN.

• The Department of Social Protection receives feedback on touch points during the applicant/learner lifecycle of the clients that they referred to the ETB. 

• QQI receive the details required to claim the certification for the learner.

• Further, it is envisaged that the PPSN will be used to identify the destination of FET learners upon completion of the FET course, the purpose being to ascertain the outcomes from the FET intervention.