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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 1

Written Answers - Legislative Programme.

Denis Naughten

Question:

337 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science the secondary legislation outstanding within his Department; the function of each piece of secondary legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5521/03]

The following statutory instruments are in the process of being prepared for my signature:

State examinations commission order.The State will provide for the establishment of the State Examinations Commission to perform functions in relation to the provision of State examinations and to take over those functions from the Department of Education and Science as envisaged in the Cromien report into the oper ation of my Department. A draft order has been prepared and is to be considered for approval by these Houses.
In accordance with the White Paper on adult education it is proposed to establish the National Adult Learning Council by way of an order under section 54 of the Education Act 1998 to exercise a range of functions in relation to the promotion, co-ordination and funding of adult learning.
National Council for Special Education Order.A national council is being prepared under section 54 of the Education Act 1998 to provide for the establishment of a National Council for Special Education to perform functions in relation to the education of persons with disabilities.
Regulations for primary and post-primary teacher allocations are at present being prepared which will provide a scheme of teacher allocations for schools and allow for an appeals process. The regulations will be made under section 33 of the Education Act 1998.
School Admissions Regulations for the preparation of school admissions policies are being prepared under section 15(2)(d) of the Education Act 1998.
The school transport regulations will place the school transport system on a more formal statutory basis to be made under section 33 of the Education Act 1998. The purpose of the designation of national association of principals and deputy principals order is to designate the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals, NAPD, as an organisation which has a special interest in the functions of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, NCCA. Once the order is made, the NCCA will be obliged to consult with the NAPD in certain circumstances and to consider representations made to it by the NAPD.
In the interest of the Vocational Education (Amendment) Act 2001 – third commencement order, my Department is in the process of identifying, with the relevant interest groups, further sections of the Act for commencement in the short to medium term.
I am, currently giving consideration to extending the number of institutions to which the Residential Institutions Redress Act 2002 applies. This would require the making of a draft ministerial order under section 4 of the Act and laying that draft before these Houses in order to seek a resolution.
I have recently received a request from the Church of Ireland College of Education to reserve places for students who are members of recognised churches in the reformed tradition and who are aware of and willing to uphold and support the distinctive ethos of Protestant primary schools. In order to accede to this request, a ministerial order must be made under section 12 of the Employment Equality Act. The order must be made with the consent of my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and is subject to the approval of these Houses.
Directive 99/42/EC provides for mutual recognition amongst member states of the EU of qualifications required in respect of certain trade activities. My Department is in the process of finalising a draft scheme for regulations to transpose this directive and is in consultation with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in this regard.
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