Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 476: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the estimated savings that will accrue from the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37956/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 532: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the implications of the amalgamation of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council; the date by which this is to be achieved; if it will require legislation; the date by which the legislation will be published; the savings this will achieve in 2008, 2009 and 2010; the basis for those savings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38411/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 476 and 532 together.

The amalgamation of the bodies referred to by the deputies will bring an enhanced coherence and efficiency to qualifications and quality assurance in further and higher education and training. The existing bodies have had considerable success in developing and enhancing work in the area of qualifications and quality assurance in vocational education and training and in higher education. The challenge is now to deepen implementation of the National Framework of Qualifications, ensuring a wider understanding of the Framework, further facilitating progression through the system, aligning quality assurance practices and pooling resources to deliver a high quality service to learners and providers. The linkages from the Framework to progression and access policies and onwards to awards certification and quality assurance are now such that it is considered that separate bodies operating in this area is no longer the best organisational response. Progress can now be most efficiently and effectively achieved through the establishment of a strong single organisation prioritising the needs of learners and delivering quality service to providers.

Establishment of the new body will require legislation, but options for closer co-operation and sharing of administration support between the existing agencies prior to statutory establishment will be explored. Allowing for planning and consultation, it is anticipated that legislation could be published in the second half of 2009.

It is difficult to quantify savings until more detailed work on administrative planning is undertaken. It should be noted that the primary reason for the amalgamation is not to achieve cost savings in themselves, but to ensure a more coherent approach by establishing a single integrated organisation. Savings would not arise from the abolition of functions but from efficiencies resulting from them being performed by a single body.