Early in 1997, Waterford Regional Technical College was redesignated as the Waterford Institute of Technology and arrangements were put in place to carry through the process leading to the delegation to the institute of authority to make awards. This process was initiated through the appointment of a review team chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly. The results of this academic review, published in March 1999, recommended that Waterford Institute of Technology become one of the first institutes to have the delegated power to make awards in respect of all existing NCEA-validated national certificate and diploma courses.
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 enables me to formally implement this recommendation for delegated authority. The arrangements for the implementation of the Act, which will enable the delegation to take place, will be completed as soon as possible.
In this regard, the setting up of the designate National Qualifications Authority of Ireland was announced on 26 January last. The new authority is being set up on an interim basis pending its establishment on a statutory basis as provided for in the Act. The task of the new authority will be to commence work on the establishment of a national qualifications framework and to advise on and support the transition to the new certification system as provided for in the Act. The first meeting of the new authority is due to take place shortly.