Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 735: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the status of proposal number seven in Annex D of budget 2009; if this process has been completed; if not, the date by which it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15875/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is referring to the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Higher Education and Training Awards Council (HETAC) and the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC). The new organisation will also take responsibility for the external quality assurance review of the universities, a function which is currently performed by the Irish Universities Quality Board (IUQB) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The statement also refers to the possibility of including some of the related functions of the National University of Ireland in the new organisation.

An Implementation Advisory Group (IAG), comprising representatives of the NQAI, HETAC, FETAC, the HEA, the IUQB and the Irish Universities Association has been formed to advise my Department on the implementation of the amalgamation. My Department has had separate discussions with NUI.

A consultation paper has been prepared, with the assistance of the IAG, covering the functions and shape of the new organisation and key legislative considerations. A period of public consultation is planned, which is due to start shortly and will conclude in June. My Department has also started work on the legislation necessary for the amalgamation. The target completion date for the legislative process is Autumn 2010, with the new statutory organisation to be established in Winter 2010/Spring 2011.