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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 Oct 2002

Vol. 555 No. 1

Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.

Bernard Allen

Question:

93 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date otherwise than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments; if there are proposals to give the bodies in question a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17826/02]

My Department established the following bodies with the intention of placing them on a statutory basis within a short period of time: the National Education Welfare Board, which as an interim committee had its first meeting on 15 June 2001, was placed on a statutory footing on 4 March 2002 following the making of a commencement order to bring into effect certain sections of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000; the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, NQAI, was established as a designate, non-statutory body in January 2000. NQAI was established on a statutory basis on 26 February 2001 by means of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, (Commencement) Order 2001 (SI 57 of 2001) made under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999; and the National Adult Learning Council which has been established on an ad hoc basis pending approval of a statutory instrument under Part 9 of the Education Act, 1998. I expect that instrument to be published very shortly.

The following bodies have been established by my Department since July 1997 on a nonstatutory basis:

Advisory Committee on the Education of the Hearing Impaired

Appeals Committee on Reasonable Accommodations at the Certificate Examinations

Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education

Commission on School Accommodation

Expert Advisory Group on Post-Primary Teaching Education

Expert Advisory Group on Primary Pre-Service Teacher Education.

Expert Advisory Group on the State Certificate Examinations.

High Level Expert Group to Advise on Technological Sector

Institiúid Teangeolaíochta Éireann

Integrated Ireland Language and Training Ltd.

Interim Review Group for Institutes in the Technological Sector

Irish Academy for the Performing Arts

Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology –

Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science

National Educational Psychological Service

School Completion Programme (incorporating the Early School Leaver Initiative and the Stay in School Retention Initiative)

Special Working Group to review Ordinary and Foundation levels at Junior Cycle.

The Advisory Council for English Language Schools

The Early Retirement Advisory Committee (ERAC)

The National Centre for Guidance in Education (NCGE)

Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute Ltd.

Working Group to design materials for teaching Irish in Gaeltacht schools and in Gaelscoileanna

Working Group to review an Scrúdú le haghaidh Cáilíochta sa Ghaeilge

Consideration is being given to drafting legislation to provide a statutory vehicle for the development of the Irish Academy for the Performing Arts.
The programme for Government contains a commitment to bring together Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology and Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Science as parts of a new council. In March 2002, the Government appointed a commission under the aegis of the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation to develop an overarching framework for national policy in research and technological development. The question of any further development of structures in this area will be addressed in the context of the final recommendations of this commission.
The high level expert group and the interim review group have completed their work and are no longer in existence.
In February 1999, the Government agreed to the establishment of the National Educational Psychological Service Agency, NEPS, over an initial development period of five years, beginning from 1 September 1999. The Government also agreed that NEPS should be established in the first instance on an administrative basis as a dedicated executive agency of the Department of Education and Science. A management committee and a national policy advisory board were established for NEPS in 1999. The main function of the management committee was to prepare a NEPS development plan for the approval of the Minister. The main function of the National Policy Advisory Board was to advise the Minister on the policy, general principles and planning for an efficient and effective NEPS. It is intended that NEPS will be established on a statutory basis before the end of the development period.

Bernard Allen

Question:

94 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Education and Science the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date pursuant to statutory instrument; the particulars of the statutory instrument in each case; if there are proposals to have the bodies in question given a basis in statute as opposed to statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17876/02]

No bodies under the aegis of my Department have been established solely under statutory instrument since 1997. I intend to publish three draft statutory instruments shortly under part 9 of the Education Act, 1998, to establish the following bodies: the National Council for Special Education, the Examinations Commission and the National Adult Learning Council.

The National Adult Learning Agency, alone of the three above bodies, has been established on an interim basis pending approval of the order to establish it under part 9 of the Education Act.
As detailed in the Government's legislative programme, I intend to publish a Bill to replace the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill, 2002, before the end of the year. That Bill will propose the establishment of the National Council for Special Education on a statutory basis.

Bernard Allen

Question:

95 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date otherwise than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments; if there are proposals to give the bodies in question a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17827/02]

The committees, boards, companies or other bodies which were established since 1997 to date, otherwise than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments, are detailed in the following list of bodies.

With the exception of Digital Media Development Ltd, DMDL, there are no proposals to give the bodies in question a statutory basis. DMDL was established in 2000 to oversee the development of the digital hub in the Thomas Street area of Dublin. The Digital Hub Development Agency Bill was published in January of this year. It will establish DMDL on a statutory footing as a State agency. The Bill was initiated in the Seanad and is due to be reintroduced there in the coming weeks with a view to its enactment by the end of the year.

Action Group on Small Powered Recreational Craft (including Personal Watercraft);

Advisory Committee on Telecommunications;

Advisory Group on Info-comms;

Aerial Fertilisation Steering Group;

Aquaculture Forum;

Aquaculture Working Group on New Species Development;

Belmullet Marine Tourism Initiative Group;

Broadcasting Forum;

Cablelink Steering Group;

Ceantar na nOileán Marine Tourism Initiative Group;

Digital Media Development Ltd;

Eel Review Group;

Environmental Monitoring Group for the Corrib Gas Field Development;

Expert Interdepartmental Group on the proposed National Maritime College;

Forestry Climate Change Team;

Forestry Training and Education Committee;

Forestry Education and Non Statutory Training Committee;

Forestry Industry Forum;

Gas 2025 Steering Group;

Government Liaison Committee to oversee the Digital Hub and Media Lab Europe projects;

Interdepartmental Project Management Group on the establishment of a Digital Terrestrial Television platform in Ireland;

Interdepartmental Group established to assess options for the long-term viability of the Post Office Services;

Implementation Group on the Report of the Fishing Vessel Safety Review Group;

Interdepartmental Committee on Network and Information Security;

Interdepartmental Steering Committee on Energy and the Information Society;

Interdepartmental Steering Committee – International Connectivity Project
Irish Maritime Development Office;
Interdepartmental Working Group to review the safety regulation of Adventure/Activity Centres in Ireland;
Interim Board to the Irish Energy Centre (IEC);
Irish National Forest Standard Plenary and associated Working Groups;
Jeanie Johnston Focus Group;
Ministerial Task Force on the Development of Port Estates in Commercial Harbours;
Ministerial Task Force on the Dumping of Radioactive Materials in the Maritime Area;
Ministerial Task Force on Management and Marketing of Herring;
Ministerial Task Force on Training and Employment in the Fishing Industry;
Ministerial Task Force on Transport Logistics in connection with Ports;
Ministerial Task Force on Seafarers Training and Employment;
National Salmon Commission;
National Seaweed Forum;
National Strategy Review Group on the Common Fisheries Policy;
North West Pelagic Group;
North West Pelagic Management Advisory Committee;
Novel Species Development Group;
Petroleum Affairs Advisory Group;
Renewable Energy Strategy Group;
Review Group to consider the future management of the five Fishery Harbour Centres;
Review Group on Forestry Legislation;
Review Group on Sea Fishing Vessel Licensing Policy;
Seabed Steering Group;
Seabed Technical Advisory Committee;
Sea Fisheries Innovation and Sustainability Approvals Board;
Seafood Industry Foresight Group;
Seafood Technology Service Assessment Group;
Sea Trout Review Group;
Steering Group for the Grid Upgrade Development Programme;
Steering Group established for Strategic Study of Greater Dublin Bay;
Sustainable Forest Management Monitoring Group;
Telecom Éireann Initial Public Offering (IPO) Steering Committee and Sub-Groups;
Whitefish Advisory Group; and the
Working Group set up to examine general issues relating to the administration of the Foreshore Acts, the Dumping at Sea Act and the Planning Acts.

Bernard Allen

Question:

96 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date pursuant to statutory instrument; the particulars of the statutory instrument in each case; if there are proposals to have the bodies in question given a basis in statute as opposed to statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17877/02]

The only body established, since 1997, pursuant to statutory instrument is EirGrid plc which was incorporated on 7 February 2001 pursuant to the European Communities (Internal Market in Electricity) Regulations 2000 (SI 445 of 2000). The appropriate provisions of SI 445 of 2000 will be included in the forthcoming Electricity Bill, 2003, which will consolidate existing electricity legislation and deal with outstanding regulatory issues.

Bernard Allen

Question:

97 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date otherwise than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments; if there are proposals to give the bodies in question a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17828/02]

The boards, committees or other bodies under the auspices of my Department which were established since 1997 to date, other than pursuant to statute or statutory instruments, are two non-statutory product management boards. These were established in April 2002 under the terms of the regional operational programmes for the Border, midland and western and the southern and eastern regions. There are no proposals to place these boards on a statutory basis.

The company which subsequently became Campus Stadium Ireland Development Ltd. was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963, in December 1999. It is proposed to give the company a basis in statute and to this end drafting of legislation to establish the Abbotstown sports centre authority is at an advanced stage.

Tourism Ireland Ltd, a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital, was established jointly by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and Bord Fáilte to carry out functions aimed at promoting tourism to the island of Ireland. The company was formally incorporated on 11 December 2000 and has taken over responsibility for the international marketing of the island of Ireland as a tourist destination with effect from the 2002 season. There are no proposals to give the company a statutory basis.

In November 2001, the Government approved the creation of a National Tourism Development Authority to promote the development of sustainable tourist facilities and services, including the promotion of training, human resources and marketing skills, bringing together functions currently carried out by Bord Fáilte and CERT. An interim board was appointed in July 2002 to progress the establishment of this body and the legislation to put it on a statutory footing, which is currently being prepared, will form part of the Government's legislative programme for the current Dáil session.

On 10 February 1998, the Government decided that an independent inquiry into matters relating to child sexual abuse in swimming be carried out by Dr. Roderick Murphy, SC, chairman of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, who subsequently produced his report.

The committee which drew up the code of ethics and good practice for children's sport in Ireland was reconvened in 1998 to review its con tents in the light of the Murphy report. A new code was launched on 7 November 2000.
An interdepartmental working group was established in August 1999 to develop guidelines and advise on the other key issues for the operation of a public private partnership, PPP, approach in relation to swimming pools. The group is chaired by my Department and comprises members from the Department of the Environment and Local Government, the Office of Public Works and representatives from three local authorities. Their report is under consideration in my Department at present.
The Irish Sports Council was requested by the then Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation to undertake a review of Ireland's participation in the Sydney Olympics. The purpose of the review, which was carried out by a steering group appointed by the council, was to learn from the experiences of Sydney 2000 and to develop a strategy, based on the analysis of the factual information gathered during the review, for the preparations for the Athens Olympics in 2004. The review was published on 6 February 2001.
The China Festival Committee was appointed in March 2002 by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The committee is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of proposals for a festival in China as provided for under the memorandum of understanding on cultural co-operation with China, which was signed by the Minister on 3 September 2001. There are no proposals to give the committee a statutory basis.
The Music Board of Ireland was established in May 2001 on a non-statutory basis by the then Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands. The board operates on a partnership basis between the Department and the music industry as represented by the IBEC music industry group. The role of the Music Board is to act as a forum for the industry to devise and actively promote strategic policies for the development of the music industry and to maximise its contribution to the national economy. It is also intended to assist the Government and State agencies in their efforts to develop the industry. No decision has, as yet, been taken regarding the establishment of the board on a statutory basis.

Bernard Allen

Question:

98 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism the committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of his Department which were established since 1997 to date pursuant to statutory instrument; the particulars of the statutory instrument in each case; if there are proposals to have the bodies in question given a basis in statute as opposed to statutory instrument; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17878/02]

There are no committees, boards, companies or other bodies under the auspices of my Department which were established pursuant to statutory instrument.

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