Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 63: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards, or other quangos established by his Department since February 2011; the number which have been abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30596/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The inaugural Student Grants Appeals Board was established on the 19th of September, 2011. This Appeals Board was established pursuant to the provisions of the Student Support Act 2011 and it will be independent in the performance of its functions. Its establishment will allow students that have applied for a grant under the 2011/12 student grant scheme and subsequent schemes to have any appeals determined by the Board. The Board comprises a Chairperson and six ordinary members.

From September 2011, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) will no longer be an aegis body of the Department. It will come within the remit of Dublin West Education Centre alongside the Department's largest support service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST). The process of integrating the functions of the NCTE with the support services and with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) is underway. The new configuration will ensure greater integration of ICT within teaching and learning both in terms of policy and practice and will deliver synergies in this regard.

As the Deputy may be aware work is also ongoing in my Department with regard to:

- the amalgamation of the Higher Education and Training Awards Council, the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. The new agency will be known as the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland (QQAAI).

- the establishment of a new further education and training authority to be called SOLAS (Seirbhísí Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna) SOLAS and the disbandment of FÁS.

- the restructuring of the VECs.