Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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894. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to report on the progress of his Department's work in the establishment of a Department-wide framework for the oversight of state bodies. [27360/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (as amended) is the central rule book for the governance, oversight and monitoring of state bodies, including aegis bodies under the remit of my Department. My officials monitor the operation and governance of aegis bodies on an ongoing basis and the Corporate Division of my Department has recently taken over sectoral governance coordination functions for my Department's agencies. This was previously administered via the Department of Education via a Memorandum of Understanding.

My officials are considering what appropriate bespoke coordination and oversight structures are required within my Department to strengthen its management of these agencies. The need or otherwise of a specific framework (additional to the Code of Practice) is being considered as part of my Department's internal discussions.