Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 456: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the progress he has made in merging the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, the Further Education and Training Award Council and the National Qualification Authority of Ireland; when legislation will be published; if he has spoken with the different Departments in relation to the transferring of responsibility for FÁS and the training functions of Fáilte Ireland, Teagasc, Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Fáilte Ireland to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40194/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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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) was announced as part of the Government's programme for the rationalisation of agencies. 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).

An Implementation Advisory Group, representative of key stakeholders in the amalgamation process, was formed to advise the Department in relation to the functions of the new organisation. In parallel with these discussions, the Department prepared a Consultation Paper, covering issues such as the proposed functions of the new agency and its governance and reporting arrangements. The Consultation Paper was published on my Department's website in May 2009, and interested parties were invited to submit suggestions to assist in informing the drafting of legislation. The period of consultation concluded on 26 June 2009 and 33 responses were received from stakeholders. The content of these submissions has been considered in developing the legislation required to bring about the amalgamation. Work is well advanced on the preparation of the General Scheme and I intend to publish the Bill in the Spring of 2010.

I will also appoint an interim board of the new organisation to drive forward the process of amalgamation and bring about a range of practical organisational initiatives that will deliver greater co-operation and sharing of services across the bodies involved prior to amalgamation.

FETAC is currently responsible for making awards that were previously made by FÁS, Fáilte Ireland, Teagasc and Bord Iascaigh Mhara, but the delivery of programmes of training is a matter for the bodies themselves. Awards previously made by FETAC will continue to be made by the new amalgamated agency. There have been no discussions on transferring responsibility for FÁS and the training functions of Fáilte Ireland, Teagasc and Bord Iascaigh Mhara to my Department. However, I am acutely aware of the need to develop joined-up approaches to education and training and my Officials are actively involved in collaborative efforts with Officials in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in this regard.