Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1036. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if each of the ten bodies under the aegis of her Department met the compliance standards as set out in their annual compliance assurance return and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. [20820/25]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016) provides a framework for the application of best practice in corporate governance for non-commercial state bodies. Aegis bodies should demonstrate their commitment to achieving the highest possible standards of corporate governance. Within their financial statements state bodies are required to confirm that they comply with the Code.

Within the most recent financial statements, for the year 2023, the National Council for Special Education and An Chomhairle um Oideachas Gaeltachta & Gaelscolaíochta have confirmed their compliance with the Code.

For 2023, State Examinations Commission (SEC) have advised within their financial statements that the SEC has compiled with the requirements of the Code, with the following exception:

“S17 of the Code requires the ARC to contain at least three independent non-executive board members. The SEC established an ARC with three members, including two independent members and one non-executive board member as this composition is more appropriate to the size of the Commission (potential maximum of five members) and the organisation whilst still respecting the underlying intent of the specific requirement of the Code. This departure from the Code has been agreed with the Department of Education”.

The Teaching Council advised of their compliance within their 2023 financial statements except for some minor aspects of the Customer Service requirements that are being addressed.

For 2023, National Council for Curriculum and Assessment have advised within their financial statements that they have complied with the requirements of the Code, with one exception:

“In relation to the provision that no member should serve more than two full terms of appointment to more than two state boards at the same time; there is a long standing practice of these provisions not applying to NCCA where organisations nominate a staff member who has direct responsibilities in the same area of curriculum development and curriculum policy in their organisations and, consequently, whose expertise is likely to be of benefit to all concerned in this context”.

The Education Research Centre advised within their 2023 financial statements of their compliance with the Code except for certain aspects relating to documentation and customer service. The ERC has commenced the work required to update documentation and the Customer Service requirements will be addressed when resources permit.

In 2018, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, Residential Institutions Review Committee & Residential Institutions Redress Board (all in wind down) received a complete derogation from the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (2016).

Caranua essentially closed in March 2021 due to the effective exhaustion of the Statutory Fund from which its expenses are met. Legislation providing for the dissolution of Caranua completed Dáil Committee Stage in June 2024 and is expected to complete its passage through the Oireachtas in the coming period

The Department of Education works with bodies under its aegis on an ongoing basis to ensure best practice in corporate governance.