Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the amalgamation of FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IUQB will be complete; when the legislative functions of the existing four bodies will be transferred to the new agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18056/12]

Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills pending the establishment of the new agency which will assume the legislative functions of FETAC, HETAC, NQAI and IUQB and the development of new quality assurance guidelines and programme validation criteria, when will the processing of current applications for training provider registration be resumed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/12]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the legislation providing for the amalgamation of FETAC and HETAC is expected to be enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18605/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 296, 297 and 347 together.

The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Bill 2011, which provides for the amalgamation, was introduced in Seanad Éireann. The Bill passed Seanad Committee Stage on 29 March 2012. I intend that the Bill will be enacted in the current term and Qualifications and Quality Assurance Ireland (QQAAI) will be established shortly thereafter. QQAAI will begin processing new applications for provider registration shortly after its establishment.