Vol. 533 No. 6
465 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will list every State agency, company, board, group, committee, commission, inquiry or authority which was set up under the aegis of his Department, and if he will give a brief outline of the aims of each such body. [9930/01]
The information sought by the Deputy is set out on the following table. The information does not include internal departmental teams engaged in ongoing review, development and implementation of the broad range of my Department's policies and operations.
|
Name of Body |
Aims |
Date EstablishedAgencies/Boards/Companies/Commissions/Authorities |
|
Commission on the Points System |
To review the system for entry into third-level institutions, make recommendations in the context of the review and draw up an implementation strategy for the recommendations. |
1997 |
|
Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute Ltd. (TRBDI) |
To promote rural enterprise and community development. To provide educational services to students and development services to small and medium sized enterprises, rural communities, voluntary organisations and community groups. |
Incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990 on 26 March 1998 |
|
Institute of Technology Blanchardstown |
To improve the educational opportunities available to the community by providing a flexible education and training framework, responsive to economic needs both locally and nationally. |
Incorporated under the Companies Acts, 1963 to 1990 December, 1998. Company dissolved December 1999 and IOT established. |
|
Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse |
To inquire into allegations of child abuse. |
May 1999 Established on statutory basis in May 2000 |
|
The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) Agency |
To develop and provide an educational psychological service to all students who need it in primary and second level schools and in certain other centres supported by the Department of Education and Science. |
September 1999 (as an administrative agency of the Department of Education and Science) |
|
Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences |
Award of research grants in the humanities and social sciences. |
December 1999 (Interim Council June 1998) |
|
Designate National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) |
To commence work on the establishment of a national framework of qualifications. |
November 2000 |
|
Irish Research Council for Science, Engineering and Technology |
Award of research grants in science, engineering and technology. |
January 2001 |
|
National Qualifications Authority of Ireland (NQAI) |
To establish and maintain a national framework of qualifications, to facilitate continuous lifelong learning, to establish and promote the maintenance and improvement of standards of awards of the further and higher education sector, other than the seven existing universities and to liaise with bodies outside the State for the mutual recognition of awards at trans-national level. |
February 2001 |
|
Steering Committee on the Establishment of a Teaching Council |
To make recommendations on the establishment, role, structures, composition, functions and funding of a teaching council having regard to the present and future educational and professional needs of teachers. |
1997 |
|
Planning Group on a National Educational Psychological Service |
To prepare proposals for a national educational psychological service. |
September 1997 |
|
Working Group on the Role of the Primary School Principal |
To define the role, duties and responsibilities and rights of the principal teacher in primary schools. |
1998 |
|
Interdepartmental Literacy Group for the Unemployed. |
To formulate measures to improve literacy services to better cater for the needs of unemployed people. |
1998 |
|
Working Group on Funding for Adult and Continuing Education |
To consider establishing a savings and loan fund for adult and continuing education. |
1998 |
|
Planning Group on the Development of a National Centre for Children with Visual Impairment |
To make recommendations on the development of a National Centre for Children with Visual Impairment. |
January 1999 |
|
Advisory Committee on Development of Educational Adult Guidance Service |
To oversee and advise on the development of a national adult guidance policy. |
1999 |
|
Expert Advisory Group on Pre-service Teacher Education - Primary |
To carry out a review and make recommendations on the content, organisation and structure, including teaching practice, of programmes in teacher education for primary school teachers. |
1999 |
|
Expert Advisory Group on Pre-service Teacher Education - Post primary |
To carry out a review and make recommendations on the content, organisation and structure, including teaching practice, of programmes in teacher education for second level teachers. |
1999 |
|
Expert Group on the allocation of teachers at second level |
To review the current procedures for the allocation of teachers at second level. |
1999 |
|
Planning Group on Special Education |
To make recommendations on the arrangements which should be put in place to ensure the most effective provision of a high quality co-ordinated service at all stages of the education system for students with disabilities. |
October 1999 |
|
Planning and Steering Group on Irish Academy for the Performing Arts |
To plan for the development of an Academy for the Performing Arts. |
January 2000 |
|
Steering Group to review PLC courses |
To review the organisational, management, technical, administrative and support structures for PLC courses. |
2000 |
|
Educational Equality Initiative Working Group |
To oversee and advise on the management and progression of the 18 selected projects for Phase 1 of the initiative (2000-2003). |
2000 |
|
Review of the Department's Operations, Systems and Staffing Needs (Cromien Report) |
To review the Department's operations, systems and staffing needs and to make recommendations. |
May 2000 |
|
Back to Education Initiative Working Group |
To develop a funding and operational framework for the initiative. |
July 2000 |
|
Action Group on Access To Third Level Education |
To advise on the development of a co-ordinated framework to promote access by students from disadvantaged backgrounds, mature students and students with disabilities, to third level education. |
September 2000 |
|
National Steering Committee for the Co-ordination of the European Year of Languages 2001 |
To select co-financed projects to be run during the year 2001.To disseminate information on the teaching and learning of languages.To raise awareness of the cultural and linguistic diversity within the EU.To encourage lifelong learning of languages for all. |
September 2000 |
|
Task Force on Dyslexia |
To review the current range of educational responses to children with dyslexia and to bring forward proposals for the future development of special education services for such children. |
October 2000 |
|
Task Force on Autism |
To review the current range of educational responses to children with autism and to bring forward proposals for the future development of special education services for such children. |
October 2000 |
|
Special Project Team to Review Student Supports |
To carry out a comprehensive review of every aspect of the maintenance grants and other student supports to ensure their relevance to the needs of present day third level students. |
November 2000 |
|
Task Force on the Physical Sciences |
To tackle the declining participation rates in the physical sciences at second and third levels. |
November 2000 |
|
Working Group to review arrangements for conducting oral and practical certificate examinations |
To review current arrangements and develop a new structure for conducting oral and practical examinations in future years. |
March 2001 Inquiries |
|
Inquiry in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Education Amendment Act, 1944 |
To inquire into the suspension of a vocational teacher. |
1997 |
|
Inquiry in accordance with the provisions of the Vocational Education Amendment Act, 1944 |
To inquire into the suspension of a vocational teacher. |
1999 |
|
Inquiry in accordance with the provisions of the Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992 |
To inquire into certain matters relating to the operation of Institute of Technology, Tralee. |
April 2000 |
