Ivor Callely
Question:92 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Education the legislative and administrative priorities of her Department in 1996; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5297/96]
Written Answers. - Departmental Priorities.
The White Paper on Education sets out a comprehensive programme for change and development.
Within that programme, I will be giving priority to legislation setting out the principles and framework for provision of education at primary and post-primary levels; this legislation will provide for the establishment of education boards and will provide the framework for boards of management in schools.
Another legislative priority is a Bill providing for new governing body structures for the universities, the re-structuring of the National University of Ireland and the putting in place of arrangements for appropriate public accountability for all universities.
In addition, proposals for two other Bills are at an advanced stage of preparation in my Department. The School Attendance Bill will amend existing school attendance legislation. The Youth Services Bill will provide a statutory basis for the development of youth work. I hope to publish both Bills in late 1996.
The implementation of the educational reform measures contained in the White Paper will require a new administrative framework for my Department. Its development is one of my priorities.
The new framework will be designed to ensure the development of the capacity of my Department in the critical areas of strategic policy formulation and evaluation, budgetary and financial management together with quality auditing and transparent systems of accountability.