Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

All of the members who contributed spoke about the importance of the independence of the centre, which is crucial, as well as the confidence people have in its independence and also in its excellence. That was a common thread in the contributions.

Deputy O'Brien asked about the board and the plan. I will appoint the board in the near future. The number we intend to appoint is five. I will use the Public Appointments Service, PAS, and we are drafting the advertisements at present to invite people to apply. The board will then be appointed. On the strategic plan, the board is obliged to submit a plan annually to the Minister of the day, and that will continue. For example, it has a work plan for this year which has already been agreed.

Deputy Cannon's issues were mainly about the importance of continuing the resource and ensuring that there is absolute confidence in its continued independence and resourcing. There is a fund and the allocation this year is a little over €2 million. That is the ball park figure. That will come directly through the Department of Education and Skills, as it does already, but in the future to it as an independent body.

Deputy Conaghan's issues were also about the importance of the work. His particular interest was in educational disadvantage, and the DEIS work it has done has been very valuable.

Everybody is satisfied that this is a very important body to education in Ireland. We are anxious to ensure that it has the appropriate governance for the future and that it also has appropriate security that its work will continue.