There was a “degree of sloppiness” in how electrical apprentice exams were dealt with, the higher education minister has said, after concerns arose that examination papers were being sold. In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Lawless said he first became aware of the issue ahead of the summer. Solas 'a victim of its convoluted history'“It is a very significant further education and apprenticeship training agency, it’s got a budget of €1bn. Mr Lawless said these integrations were not done as a proactive move, and there was a need to “overhaul the whole system”. “Often it’s not done for decades or more,” Mr Lawless said.

Source: Irish Examiner December 30, 2025 06:50 UTC