John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Education and Science his legislative priorities for 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3700/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The Department's legislative priorities are as outlined in the Government Legislation Programme, which was published by the Chief Whip's Office prior to the commencement of the Spring parliamentary session.

The Department of Education & Science has 3 Bills listed in Section C of the programme, namely the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Act 1998 (Amendment) Bill 2009, the Education (Patronage) Bill 2009 and the Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill 2009. The Heads of Bill are at various stages of preparation in each case, and Government approval has yet to be sought for any draft Heads.

The George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Bill 2009 will amend the existing legislation to facilitate an increase of €20m in Ireland's contribution to the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund. The purpose of the Education (Patronage) Bill is to make the necessary legislative amendments (to the VEC Acts 1930-2006 and the Education Act 1998) to allow for the provision of primary education by Vocational Education Committees and to empower a VEC on instruction from the Minister for Education and Science, to act as Patron of a primary school.

The Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill 2009 will replace the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act 1999 in order to amalgamate the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the Further Education and Training Awards Council. 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 and the Higher Education Authority.

It may also be noted that the Student Support Bill 2008 is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas.