Vol. 497 No. 2
421 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the title, role and composition of all task forces, review groups, advisory bodies and any other agencies operating under the aegis of his Department; the date of establishment of each body; and the reports, if any, published by each group in the past 12 months. [24889/98]
It is understood that the Deputy is referring to task forces, review groups, etc., established in my Department and which reported to me during the last 12 months and, on that basis, the following tabular statement gives the information requested by him.
|
Title |
Role |
Composition |
Date of Set-up |
Report Published |
|
Steering Committee and Technical Working Group on issues relative to Teaching Council. |
To advise the Minister on issues relating to the establishment of a teaching council. |
Reps. of educational interests, IBEC, ICTU, Dept. of Education and Science. |
Nov., 1997. |
Sept., 1998. |
|
Early Childhood Forum. |
In the Government's Action Programme for the Millennium, early childhood education and care was selected as an area of policy concern and a commitment was made to provide a specific budget for pre-school education. |
Reps. from Maynooth University, UCD, and St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra. |
July, 1997. |
Sept., 1998. |
|
Review Committee on Post Secondary Education and Training Places. |
To review recommendations in the steering report on the future development of higher education. |
Dr. Dónal de Buitléir Higher Education Authority secretariat, Reps. from Government Depts., EBEC, IFA, independent economist. |
January 1997. |
Not yet known. |
|
Commission on the Points System. |
To examine the current system of entry into third level education. |
Reps. of second level and third level educational interests and the Dept. of Education and Science. |
October, 1997. |
Sept., 1998. |
|
Planning Group for a National Educational Psychological Service. |
To advise the Minister on issues relating to the establishment of a national educational psychological service. |
Reps. from primary and post-primary schools, teachers' unions, National Prices Commission, Psychological Society of Ireland, Depts. of Health and Children, Finance and Education and Science. |
Sept., 1997. |
July, 1998. |
|
Interim Review Group for Institutions in the Technological Sector. |
To process applications from institutions seeking delegated authority to award their own qualifications and to make recommendations to the Minister. |
Interim Review Group for Institutions in the Technological Sector. |
July, 1997. |
Not yet known. |
|
Working Group on the Establishment of the Academy for the Performing Arts including a Conservatoire in Dublin. Jointly set up with the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. |
To report on the steps necessary to establish the academy. |
Reps. from the Depts. of Education and Science, HEA, Taoiseach, Finance, Office of Public Works, Arts Council, Arts Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. |
March, 1998. |
Interim report produced. |
|
Committee on the Funding Mechanisms for Adult and Continuing Education. |
To evaluate the funding implications of a national level programme for adult and continuing education. |
Reps. from various Depts., Dublin Institute of Technologys, IBEC, ICTU, INOU, IVEC, TEASTAS, CHIU and FÁS. |
Feb., 1998. |
July, 1998. |
|
Working Group on the Weight of Schoolbags. |
To address all aspects of the problems posed by the weight of schoolbags including any possible implications for the health of pupils and to formulate proposals to alleviate such problems. |
Reps. of the Dept. of Education and Science and partners in education and health professionals. |
Oct., 1997. |
June, 1998. |
|
National Centre for Technology in Education. |
To manage the implementation of the Schools IT 2000 Project, to develop policy proposals and to provide policy advice to the Department. |
Staff of NCTE. |
Jan., 1998. |
April, 1999. |
|
Expert Advisory Group on the State Certificate Examinations. |
To provide the Minister for independent advice and evaluation on the operation of all aspects of the examinations. |
Reps. of educational interests, Department of Education and Science. |
Dec., 1997. |
Report not necessary. |
|
Task Force on Guidance Counselling and Psychological Services for Youth Reach and Senior Traveller Training Centres. |
To develop a guidance counselling and psychological service for participants in both programmes. |
Reps. of the Interdepartmental Committee on Early School Leaving, National Centre for Guidance in Education, FÁS and other interest groups. |
Oct., 1997 |
April, 1998. |
|
Literacy for the Unemployed. |
Review of this programme. |
Reps. from other Departments and FÁS. |
Nov., 1998. |
Not yet known. |
|
Education and Training Labour Market measures. |
Review of this programme. |
As above. |
Oct., 1998. |
Report to Strategy Group on Employment and Unemployment being finalized at present. |
|
Interim Council for the Humanities and Social Science. |
Award of grants in the humanities and social sciences. |
Reps. from universities. |
June, 1998. |
Phase 1 Grants Awarded. |
|
Steering Committee on ITE Expenditure Review. |
To oversee the review study. |
Staff of Dept. plus a member from Dept. of Finance. |
Feb., 1998. |
Report awaited. |
