Transfer of these functions follows the recent publication of the Further Education and Training Bill 2013, which will see the disbanding of FÁS and the establishment of SOLAS.

Training resource Screen Training Ireland is to transfer from the FÁS to the Irish Film Board (Bord Scannán na hÉireann) this month following an agreement between the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.

The core function of Screen Training Ireland will remain in place with the unit continuing to deliver training courses and bursary awards to the audio-visual industry. The current staff will also remain in place.

Paul O’Toole, director general, FÁS, said: “The innovative training programmes developed and provided by Screen Training Ireland over the past number of years have played a key role in the development of the audio visual industry in Ireland and FÁS is proud to have played its part in this. I am delighted that this key training and development resource for the screen sectors will continue under the auspices of the Irish Film Board.”

James Hickey, Irish Film Board chief executive, added: “The future growth of the Irish film television and animation industries is dependent upon a highly skilled workforce. We are part of a competitive global industry where technology is changing the audio visual workplace at an incredibly fast pace. It is vital for the industry to have an on-going training resource which is dedicated to assessing skills shortages in the industry and designing courses and opportunities for practitioners to fill those gaps.”

The transfer of Screen Training Ireland follows the recent publication of the Further Education and Training Bill 2013 which will see the disbanding of FÁS and the establishment of SOLAS, who will be responsible for coordinating and funding further education and training programmes across the country.

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