Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 28 Jan 1998

Vol. 486 No. 1

Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

827 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have been approved by Government; the expected date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1014/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

832 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the Acts and provisions of Acts which are not in force due to the fact that a commencement order has not been made; whether an order will be made, if so, when this will occur; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1089/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

833 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposed statutory instruments being prepared in or under the auspices of his Department; the proposed effect of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1104/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

834 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals for legislation being prepared under the auspices of his Department where heads have not been approved to date by Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1119/98]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

835 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the reports, or parts of reports, of the Law Reform Commission relevant to his Department which have not been implemented to date; whether implementation is under consideration or will be proposed in relation to each recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1134/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 827, 832, 833, 834 and 835 together.

There are no proposals for legislation being prepared in the Department of Education and Science where heads of a Bill have been approved by Government. There is no Act relating to my Department in respect of which a commencement order is required where that order has not been made.

The following statutory instruments are being prepared in my Department: The Education and Science (Transfer of Ministerial Functions) Order, 1998 — the effect of this order is to formally transfer the functions of the Minister for Education and Science under the Youth Work Act, 1997, to Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea; the Vocational Education (Grants for Annual Scheme of Committees) Regulations, 1997 — these regulations are made under section 53 of the Vocational Education Act, 1930 and the regulations govern the payment of additional, supplemental and special grants to vocational education committees in the financial year commencing on 1 January 1997; the Rules and Programme for Secondary Schools this order is prepared annually in accordance with the Intermediate Education (Ireland) Acts, 1878 to 1924 it sets out the conditions for recognition of secondary schools, the details of the school curriculum and courses of instruction, the requirements for admission to the certificate examinations and the rules concerning the conduct of candidates during examinations; transposition of EU Directive 97/38/EC into Irish law — this directive amends Annex C of Council Directive 92/51/EC on a second general system for the recognition of professional education and training to supplement Council Directive 89/48/EC and it is anticipated that this directive will be transposed into Irish law in the near future.

Statutory instruments are also in preparation which will update and consolidate the superannuation schemes for first and second level teachers.

The following are my proposals for legislation where heads have not been approved to date by Government: Education and Training (Qualifications) Bill — working title — the primary purpose of this Bill will be to make provision for a national certificate structure; School Attendance (Amendment) Bill — working title — this Bill will update the law relating to compulsory school attendance; Teaching Council Bill — working title — this Bill will establish a regulatory authority for the teaching profession; Vocational Education (Amendment) Bill — this Bill will update aspects of the law relating to vocational education committees, including parent representation on committees; Youth Work (Amendment) Bill — this Bill will amend the Youth Work Act, 1997; Private Third Level Colleges (Bonding) Bill — working title — this Bill will provide protection for students in private third level colleges against the eventuality of a college going out of business.

There are no reports or parts of reports of the Law Reform Commission which are relevant to my Department and which have not been implemented.