Written answers

Tuesday, 16 February 2010

Department of Education and Science

Departmental Agencies

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 630: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the number of bodies and agencies under his aegis; and his proposals for the rationalisation of same. [8194/10]

Photo of Batt O'KeeffeBatt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Since 2008 my Department has undertaken a number of measures as part of the Government's programme for the rationalisation of agencies. Most recently in January 2010, two bodies that were under the aegis of my Department, the International Education Board Ireland (IEBI) and Advisory Council for English Language Schools (ACELS) ceased operations. The functions of the IEBI have been assigned to Enterprise Ireland and the Higher Education Authority and those of the ACELS have gone to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. Accordingly there are currently 19 non commercial bodies under the aegis of my Department - details follow for information.

In relation to other rationalisation proposals, I should like to inform the Deputy that the Government recently approved the General Scheme for the legislation which will amalgamate the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI), the Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC) and the Higher Education & Training Awards Council (HETAC). The legislation will also contain provisions to dissolve the National University of Ireland. It is anticipated that the legislation will be published in the summer with the passage of the Bill likely to occur before the end of the year. However, the amalgamated agency will not be established until the beginning of next year.

As the Deputy may be aware the Programme for Government includes a specific commitment to develop proposals for the reorganisation of the number of Vocational Education Committees. When I spoke at last year's annual conference of the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) I indicated publicly my general intentions in relation to the future organisation of the VEC system. I invited the IVEA and other interested parties to make written submissions if they wished that I would consider in finalising proposals. The Deputy will appreciate that in advance of bringing the matter before Government, which I expect to do in the coming period, it would not be appropriate for me to comment on any particular element of the reorganisation.

List of bodies under the aegis the Department of Education & Science – February 2010

Body Name
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta (COGG)
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse
Education Finance Board (EFB)
Further Education & Training Awards Council (FETAC)
Grangegorman Development Agency
Higher Education & Training Awards Council (HETAC)
Higher Education Authority (HEA)
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau
National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE)
National Centre Guidance in Education (NCGE)
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)
National Council for Special Education (NCSE)
National Education Welfare Board (NEWB)
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI)
Residential Institution Redress Board
Residential Institutions Review Committee
State Examinations Commission

Note 1: The Teaching Council has been self-financing since March 2008.

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