Vol. 535 No. 2
68 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has in respect of the organisation and operation of State examinations; the proposals he has to establish a separate statutory agency for this purpose or to broaden the scope of an existing agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12371/01]
The Deputy will be aware that I invited Mr. Seán Cromien, former secretary of the Department of Finance, to conduct a review of my Department's operations, systems and staffing needs. I initiated this review with a view to ensuring the most effective functioning of my Department in the interests of the Irish education system as a whole. Mr. Cromien's report makes concrete and wide-ranging recommendations for change.
To advance the change agenda, I established a high level departmental task force to prepare a blueprint for implementation. This task force has now presented a range of proposals and an implementation framework.
These proposals include consideration of the organisation and operation of the State examinations based on the conclusions in Mr. Cromien's report.
I am currently considering these proposals and I expect to be in a position to put a proposal on the matter to Government soon.
