Governance

The SOLAS Board is accountable to the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and is responsible for ensuring good governance in SOLAS. It consists of our Chairperson Sean Aylward and 11 ordinary members, all of whom were appointed by the Minister for Education and Skills. Our current Board comprises 54 per cent men and 46 per cent women.

The CEO and the senior management team follow the broad strategic direction set by the Board, and ensure that all Board members have a clear understanding of the key activities and decisions related to SOLAS.

The Board has three sub-committees: Audit and Risk Committee; Strategic Planning Committee; and Workforce and Organisational Development Committee.

SOLAS CEO, Andrew Brownlee, acts as a direct liaison between the Board and management of SOLAS.

89.8%

Grants to ETBs

1.5%

Programme costs

2.9%

Grants to other organisations

2.5%

Staff pay and overheads

3.3%

Pension costs*

*Pension costs include pension costs related to SOLAS retired staff and pension costs for legacy organisations currently being administered by SOLAS

Overall SOLAS Budget €1,087.2m. Each year business plans and budgets are allocated in line with the Further Education and Training Strategy 2020-2024 and the SOLAS Corporate Plan 2021-2023.

Our Board

Board Members

Andrew Brownlee

Andrew Brownlee

CEO of SOLAS
Sean Aylward

Sean Aylward

Chairperson, Former Secretary General, Department of Justice and Equality
Dr. Kevin Marshall

Dr. Kevin Marshall

Head of Learning & Skills, Microsoft Ireland.
Siobhan O’Shea

Siobhan O’Shea

Director, Indeed.
Catrina Sheridan

Catrina Sheridan

Chief Executive Officer – Sightsavers Ireland
Dearbháil Lawless

Dearbháil Lawless

CEO, Aontas
Niall O'Donnellan

Niall O'Donnellan

Independent Strategy Advisor
Sheila Gallagher

Sheila Gallagher

Chief Financial Officer, Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Orla Coughlan

Orla Coughlan

Management Consultant and Non Executive Director
Michael Murphy

Michael Murphy

Principal, Mayo College of Further Education and Training, MSLETB
Susan Colley Doyle

Susan Colley Doyle

Director of Finance and Business Support, Carton House
Jim Meade

Jim Meade

Chief Executive Officer, Iarnrod Eireann
Patrick Atkinson

Patrick Atkinson

Chief Executive, Chadwicks Group