Olwyn Enright
Ceist:178 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans to establish a teaching council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31484/03]
Written Answers. - Teaching Council.
Olwyn Enright
Ceist:196 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the timescale for the establishment of a teachers council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31577/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 196 together.
Arrangements for the establishment of the teaching council are well advanced in my Department. Draft regulations governing the first election of members to the council have been circulated to relevant bodies and responses received are currently being considered. The process of finalising the regulations will be completed early in the new year.
In parallel with the finalisation of the regulations, my Department is making arrangements to address the logistical issues which will be associated with the holding of the first election of members to the teaching council. Arrangements are also being made for the appointment of the first director to the teaching council.
I am hopeful that the post of first director to the teaching council will be advertised early in the new year and that the first election of members to the council will take place in the first half of 2004.