Written answers
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Department of Education and Skills
State Agencies
9:00 pm
Michael McCarthy (Cork South West, Labour)
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Question 99: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will confirm the total number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which currently exist within his Department; if he will provide a breakdown of each, listing in particular full name, location, the total amount of funding allocated to each in 2011 and total staff number; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos which have been abolished or wound down since he took office, and the total amount of savings achieved with each closure; the number of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos being considered for abolition in the context of Budget 2012; if he will furnish a list of the organisations under consideration, specifying in particular their annual running costs, primary function, and staff number in tabular form; if there is a rationalisation programme in place within his Department in respect of State agencies, independent statutory bodies, State boards or other quangos for the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34895/11]
Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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A list of those bodies currently under the aegis of my Department is provided in the following table for the Deputy's information. The table provides details with regard to Head Quarter location, estimated funding allocations for 2011 and While Time Equivalent (WTE) staffing numbers.
While no bodies under the aegis of my Department have been abolished since my appointment as Minister the Deputy may wish to note that: In June 2011, the functions of the National Educational Welfare Board transferred to the newly established office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. Since September 2011, the National Centre for Technology in Education (NCTE) is within the remit of Dublin West Education Centre alongside the Department's largest support service, the Professional Development Service for Teachers (PDST).
As the Deputy is aware my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform is leading the development of a new integrated public service reform plan and further details will be available on 17th November next.
The Deputy will also be aware that there are a number of major structural reform projects are being progressed in the Education sector. These are: Establishment of SOLAS, the new agency to reform, co-ordinate and fund further education and training programmes including developing a seamless interaction with the National Employment and Entitlement Service (NEES) on activation measures.
| Body Name | Head Quarter Address | 2011 Allocation - Estimated(000s) | Staffing Levels (Whole Time Equivalents)Qtr 3 2011 |
| An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta | 22 Plás Mhic Liam, Dublin 2 | 2,300 | 3.00 |
| Commission into Child Abuse | St. Stephens Green House, Dublin 2 | 2,200 | 6.80 |
| Education Finance Board (EFB) - Note 1 | Frederick Court, Dublin 1 | Not Applicable | 3.80 |
| Foras Áiseanna Saothair - Note 2 | 27-33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4 | 475,588 | 1,897.48 |
| Further Education & Training Awards Council | East Point Plazza ,East Point Business Park, Fairview, Dublin 3 | 4,661 | 36.00 |
| Grangegorman Development Agency )GDA) | St Brendan's Hospital, Dublin 7 | 2,080(Current Allocation only) | 7.00 |
| Higher Education and Training Awards Council | 26-27 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2 | 1,909 | 27.80 |
| Higher Education Authority | Brooklawn House, Crampton Ave, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4 | 5,587(HEA Administrative Costs only) | 52.20 |
| Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering & Technology- Note 3 | 22,600 | 5.00 | |
| Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences - Note 3 | 10,400 | 4.60 | |
| Léargas - The Exchange Bureau | 189/193 Parnell Street, Dublin 1 | 1,195 | 31.40 |
| National Centre for Guidance in Education | 42/43 Prussia Street, Dublin 7 | 708 | 6.00 |
| National Council for Curriculum and Assessment | 24 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 | 3,812 | 22.80 |
| National Council for Special Education | 1-2 Mill Street, Trim, Co Meath | 9,015 | 108.60 |
| National Qualifications Authority of Ireland | Jervis House, Jervis St, Dublin 1 | 2,753 | 22.80 |
| Residential Institutions Redress Board - Note 4 | Belfield Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14 | 45,000 | 29.00 |
| Skillnets Ltd | Q House, Furze Road, Q House, Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18 | 14,500 | 19.00 |
| State Examinations Commission | Cornamaddy, Athlone, Co. Westmeath | 54,310(net of income from fees) | 196.89 |
| The Teaching Council | Maynooth Business Campus, Co. Kildare | Not Applicable. Self-financing since March 2008 | 30.50 |
The ETBs will take over the work of VECs and will have an expanded role in the delivery of further education and training across the country.
Single awarding authority for student grants. City of Dublin VEC will operate as the new single student grant awarding authority to replace the existing 66 grant awarding bodies. Implementation of the new arrangements are being phased in from 2012/13 academic year.
Consolidation of Higher Education provision under the Strategy for Higher Education to 2030.
Establishment of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland which involves merger of the National Qualifications Authority, FETAC and HETAC.
It is also proposed to dissolve the Education Finance Board on the establishment of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund. I intend to publish the necessary legislation at the earliest opportunity.
Note 1: The operation of the Education Finance Board is funded by €12.7m of the original contribution made by the religious congregations in the context of the 2002 Indemnity Agreement. The only financial contribution that the Department has made to the EFB relates to monies paid in respect of Travel & Subsistence due to some Board Members
Note 2: The Department of Social Protection will also provide over €481 million to FÁS in 2011 in respect of Employment Services and Employment Programmes.
Note 3: Figures provided for both of the Irish Research Councils relate primarily for research scholarships.
Note 4: Residential Institutions Redress Board (inclusive of Residential Institutions Review Committee, Board awards and 3rd Party Legal Costs and payments under the Indemnity Agreement). WTE figure of 29 includes 2 staff relating to Review Committee.
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