Pat Rabbitte
Question:186 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will outline his programme of legislation; when each Bill will be presented to Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3825/99]
Written Answers. - Proposed Legislation.
The legislative programme of my Department at present encompasses six Bills which I intend to publish and have enacted as soon as practicable.
It is my intention to publish the qualifications (education and Training) Bill, 1999 in the next few weeks. The Bill provides for a national framework of qualifications and for mobility and linkages within that framework. I hope that, with the co-operation of my colleagues in both Houses of the Oireachtas, it will be possible to enact the Bill before the summer recess.
A Bill with the working title Education (Welfare) Bill is at present being drafted by the parliamentary draftsman's office following approval of the general scheme by Government on 16 September 1998. This Bill will establish a comprehensive legislative and administrative system for dealing with school attendance issues and issues relating to the educational welfare of children generally. It is my intention to publish the Bill before the summer with a view to its enactment later this year.
On 26 January 1999, the Government authorised the drafting of the Teaching Council Bill. The purpose of the Bill is to establish a regulatory authority for the teaching profession. It is intended that it will be published in the summer and it is my intention that enactment should take place before the end of the year.
The general scheme of the Regional Technical Colleges (Amendment) (Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown), Bill is currently being drafted by my Department. The purpose of the legislation is to establish the Institute of Technology at Blanchardstown on a statutory basis and bring it within the general Regional Technical College Acts – it is established under company law at present. It is my intention to publish the Bill and have it enacted before the summer recess.
The general scheme of the Youth Work (Amendment) Bill has been approved by Government and has been referred to the office of the Attorney General for drafting. The purpose of the Bill is to amend the Youth Work Act, 1997, given that its provisions were to a large extent dependent on the establishment of education boards. The Bill will enhance provision for youth work and, in particular, will provide for the development of co-ordinated plans at local and national level. It is intended to publish the Bill by the middle of this year.
The general scheme of an amendment to the Vocational Education Acts is currently being prepared by my Department. The legislation is intended to update aspects of the law relating to the vocational education committees. I hope to publish the Bill in the autumn. It is not possible at this time to anticipate a likely date of enactment.