Michael Noonan
Ceist:74 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will appoint the education disadvantage committee as provided for in legislation. [12292/01]
Written Answers - Educational Disadvantage Committee.
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:75 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science if he has established the long promised committee on educational disadvantage; the details of its composition; and the terms of reference in this regard. [12306/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 74 and 75 together.
I launched the educational disadvantage committee on 12 February 2001. It will be chaired by Professor Áine Hyland, Vice-President and Professor of Education, University College Cork. It is intended that the committee will be established shortly and to that end the consultation process has commenced. I recently invited organisations, both voluntary and other bodies which have objectives or experience in the area of tackling disadvantage, to provide a nominee who would be willing to serve on the committee and-or forum.
The final size and composition of the committee will be structured with a view to ensuring that it can do its work in the most effective way possible.
I have also decided to set up a larger forum to address educational disadvantage. This forum, which will have a broader representation than the committee, will meet twice a year and will have a vital role in advising on broader issues relating to disadvantage and exclusion from the full benefits of education. It will inform the work of the com mittee. Closing date for nominees was last Monday.
The main terms of reference of the committee are to advise me, as Minister for Education and Science, on policies and strategies to be adopted to identify and correct educational disadvantage.