Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - Education Certification Bodies.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

619 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will nominate a person from the Waterford constituency to the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11665/01]

Brian O'Shea

Question:

620 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will nominate a person from the Waterford constituency to the Higher Education and Training Awards Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11666/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.

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 new awarding councils in the near future.

The main objects of the Act are to establish and develop standards of knowledge, skill or competence; promote the quality of further education and training and higher education and training; provide a system for co-ordinating and comparing education and training awards and to promote and maintain procedures for access, transfer and progression.

The priority in nominating persons to these bodies is for those persons to have the necessary expertise and breadth of experience in the education and training area to enable them to fully contribute to the achievement of the objects of the authority and the Act.