Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 16 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 6

Written Answers - Consultants' Report.

Frances Fitzgerald

Ceist:

29 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Education and Science whether the consultancies established to examine the reorganisation of his Department and the devolution of powers to regional boards have been presented to his Department; and whether he will lay copies of the report in the Oireachtas Library in order that there can be an informed debate about these issues, their costs and the alternatives for which he has expressed a preference. [16597/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

Consultants were appointed in July 1996 to make recommendations on the future reorganisation of the Department of Education and to suggest administrative structures for the education boards which had been proposed by the previous Government.

However, as the Deputy will be aware, after my appointment I announced that I would not be proceeding with the establishment of the education boards. In any event the work of the consultants to date has focused on the organisation and structures in the Department and this work will not be completed for some time.

The consultants are currently working on the reorganisation of my Department's administrative structures. It has not been normal practice to lay copies in the Oireachtas Library of consultants' reports dealing with internal organisation matters.