P. J. Sheehan
Ceist:30 Mr. Sheehan asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made on the implementation of the Deloitte & Touche and Cromien reports on reform of the administration of the Department of Education. [28240/01]
Written Answers. - Departmental Reform.
Arising from the reports referred to by the Deputy, my Department has embarked on a major programme of structural reform which has five core elements to it: a focused movement of certain functions from my Department; specifically examinations, delivery of special education and transfer of the Department's current role in relation to the institutes of technology to the Higher Education Authority; the establishment of a regional office structure; regulatory reform and appellate processes to underpin key allocation functions; implementation of a wide range of efficiency measures designed to bring the Department's procedures and processes more into line with modern administrative practice; and arising from the above, a greater focus on core functions, with particular emphasis on policy and planning.
The Government decided in June 2001 that work should proceed on the establishment of an examinations commission, a special education service, regional offices and the transfer of responsibilities relating to the institutes of technology to the Higher Education Authority. My Department is currently engaged in consultations with trade unions and staff interests with a view to the implementation of these measures at an early date. The programme of regulatory reform and appellate processes is the subject of ongoing work within my Department.