Vol. 560 No. 1
529 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Education and Science the Acts, sections or other provisions of Acts under the auspices of his Department or for the commencement of which the Department is responsible which have not commenced by reason of the fact that the commencement order has not been made; if it is intended to make such an order; if so, the timeframe in this regard; the reason for the failure to make such an order to date [2093/03]
The Teaching Council Act was enacted in 2001. Preparation for regulations providing for the first election to the council is at an advanced stage. These regulations will be the subject of consultation in the very near future. Once agreed, the first tranche of sections of the Act will be commenced. My intention is that this will be during the summer.
The Vocational Education (Amendment) Act was passed by the Oireachtas in July 2001. To date, five sections have been commenced dealing with the first meeting of newly constituted committees, the designation of reserved and executive functions, and provisions relating to the chief executive officer and the staff of the committees. Consultations with interested parties are at an advanced stage regarding the commencement of the remainder of the Act and I hope to be in a position to make a further commencement order in the next month.
