Vol. 513 No. 2
173 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the delegation of power to Waterford Institute of Technology to validate its own certificates and diplomas; the anticipated academic year of delegation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2057/00]
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 was enacted during the summer. An inter-departmental implementation group, comprising those Departments concerned with the operation of the Act, has been established to oversee its implementation. This group had its first meeting in September last and has reported to me on the necessary steps to bring the Act into operation. Following on this, I have announced the setting up of the designate National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and have appointed Mr. Richard Langford as chairperson.
The new authority is being set up on an interim basis pending its establishment on a statutory basis. The task of the designate authority will be to commence work on the establishment of a national framework of qualifications and to advise on and support the transition to the new certification system as provided for in the Act. The process of securing nominations to the designate authority, as set out in the Act, is already under way.
As the Deputy will be aware, the provisions of section 29(8) of the Act enables the Minister to give effect to the recommendations of the independent review group, chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly, on Waterford Institute of Technology. When the relevant sections of the Act are brought into operation it is intended that the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland will be directed under the terms of this section to implement the recommendations of the report of the review group.
