Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to bring to the House's attention two issues, the first of which I missed because we were moving so quickly. We will introduce amendments to section 51 relating to accounts and accountability. They will ensure that, in the transition from vocation education committees, VECs, to education and training boards, ETBs, there will be no gap in the obligation to file accounts and to respond to the Committee of Public Accounts on a VEC's financial activities. We must also consider the best way to deal with the accounting for the current year, during which one period will relate to the time of the VECs and another will relate to the new bodies. The Department is consulting the Comptroller and Auditor General's office on these matters and, if necessary, will introduce Report Stage amendments.

Second, we may need to consider tabling a Report Stage amendment to section 58. Under procedure, I am required to bring the House's attention to this now. Otherwise, I would not be able to table it. Section 58 relates to the transfer of staff from VECs to the new ETBs. A similar provision is contained in the Further Education and Training Bill 2013, which provides for the establishment of SOLAS. That provision may need some minor amendment. If so, we will make a similar change to this Bill.