Enda Kenny
Ceist:211 Mr. E. Kenny asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has to transfer powers and functions from her Department to local bodies; and when any such proposals will be implemented.
Written Answers. - Delegation of Departmental Powers.
The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to the introduction of intermediate education structures. In line with a commitment I gave at the close of the National Education Convention last October, I issued a position paper on regional education Councils (RECs) on 11 March 1994, as an input to the consultative process. As I indicated at the time, the proposals in the position paper are neither final ministerial nor Government proposals.
I subsequently invited the organisations which participated in the analysis of issues group on intermediate education structures at the convention to take part in a series of Roundtable Discussions on the proposals in the position paper. I have recently received a report on the round table discussions, prepared by Professor John Coolahan and Dr. Séamus McGuinness. A copy has been circulated to all Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
I will now give careful consideration to the outcome of the consultative process in preparing detailed proposals on intermediate education structures.