Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I welcome the introduction of this Bill, which will streamline the existing national qualifications and quality assurance bodies and reduce the number of quangos. The National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, and the Further Education and Training Awards Council will amalgamate into a new single national agency, the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland. The authority will provide a more integrated service to learners nationwide in further education, higher education and training. It will also take responsibility regarding quality assurance reviews of universities to ensure they are providing the highest quality of education. They will also take over responsibilities that lie with the Irish Universities Quality Board.

Each of these universities and agencies have successful records and have performed well. Combined, they will provide increased productivity delivered more efficiently. The main functions of the new authority will be to set out standards for students to achieve before receiving awards, to review providers to ensure that they are meeting standards of quality and to promote, maintain and further develop the national framework of qualifications. The body will be responsible for upholding Ireland's strong international reputation for excellence in third level education and to ensure awards are recognised within the framework of qualifications.

The new authority will create a consistent and clear system of quality assurance and qualifications in education and training in Ireland. It will develop the national framework of qualifications and work with providers to ensure that greater opportunities will be available to learners nationally for participation in high quality training and education. The framework will be further developed by the new authority, which will later result in more opportunities for learners.

The authority will work closely with the Government to ensure that it is aware of any education and training issues that need to be improved. Importantly, it will advise the Departments of Education and Skills and Enterprise, Jobs and Innovation on national policy on learning and qualifications and lifelong learning. It will oversee the implementation of the policy. It will continue to raise awareness of how qualifications are organised and review the policies and criteria on which the framework is based. The authority will decide the standards of learning that must be met by the provider before an award is given. This will strengthen the quality assurance system, which will be of benefit to learners. This is welcome.

A constituent has been in contact with me to highlight concerns with section 21(2) of the Bill. The concern is that it may not protect the rights of workers in the new organisation. I am aware that a number of people have concerns about this and they would like the section to be modified to include all rights of workers in the organisation and not just remuneration. They would like this section to be changed to include tenure, fees, allowances, expenses and superannuation. This is something the Minister should take on board and examine in more detail.

I support the Bill. The proposed reduction in the number of quangos is to be welcomed. Our education system is envied on a worldwide basis and all our universities are in the top 5% in the world. Many multinationals come to Ireland because of our excellence in education. We need to continue that and we must not become complacent. The introduction of the Bill is a step in the right direction to ensure that reputation is protected.

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