Vol. 533 No. 2
149 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress which has been made in the matter of the devolution of authority to Waterford Institute of Technology to award its own certificates and diplomas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8521/01]
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, provides for the establishment of three new bodies: the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. I established the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland on a statutory basis on 26 February last and it is my intention to establish the two new awarding councils in the near future.
The provisions of section 29(8) of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, enable the Minister to give effect to the recommendations of the independent review group, chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly, on Waterford Institute of Technology. When the Act is brought fully into operation, it is intended that the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland will be directed, under the terms of this section, to implement the recommendations of the report of the review group.
