Committee Reports::Annual Report of the Joint Committee on Education and Science, 2002-03::26 February, 2004::Appendix

The Joint Committee on Education and Science was established following an order of the Dáil of 16 October 2002 and of the Seanad of 17 October 2002. In addition, Dáil Standing Order 84(4) and Seanad Standing Order 69(4) state—

“As soon as may be following its appointment and thereafter at annual intervals, each Select Committee shall prepare a work programme and shall lay such programme before [Dáil/Seanad] Éireann.”.

Joint Committee on Education and Science

Work Programme 2004

A. JOINT COMMITTEE

•Educational Disadvantage — evaluation of the policies of the Department of Education and Science.

•Review progress regarding the implementation of the recommendations of the Cromien Report.

•Review of operation of aid for school books grant and other student support schemes.

•Consider the methods of teaching and learning of the Irish language at primary and secondary level. Consider the methods used in the teaching of European languages in schools for comparative purposes; Examine how the teaching of Irish in the Six Counties can be encouraged by co-operation between the two Departments.

•EU awareness campaign — monitor progress of recently launched initiative. Provision of EU Programmes at Primary Level.

•Consideration of the promotion of excellence and the measurement of achievement in education and how the agencies of the State can intervene to assist teachers.

•Review, on a six monthly basis, matters relevant to reports on specific topics which have been published by the Joint Committee to see if any action followed on foot of recommendations made.

•Progress report on reports of the Joint Committee on Education and Science 28^th Dail

•COM(2003) 199 - Amended proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the rights of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the Member States.

•Work of National Educational Welfare Board, including issue of school attendance and the need for its adequate financing.

•Scientific Culture and Heritage and how that influences the Society of Tomorrow)

•Future Plans with regard to Teacher Education for the Teaching of Home Economics, including proposed closure of St Catherine’s College of Education for Home Economics

Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science

Travel

The Committee will undertake such travel as it considers necessary to further the aims of the Work Programme, subject to financial and procedural constraints.

Oireachtas Scrutiny of European Business

In addition to the matters outlined above, the Joint Committee will also consider proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time by the Joint Committee on European Affairs

The items listed for consideration in the Joint Committee’s Work Programme are not in any order of priority; the Joint Committee will decide on an overall approach in the light of actual experience. Apart from the above list, it is likely that other relevant issues will arise during the year, which will require the attention of the Joint Committee, and those will be addressed as and when the need arises.

The Joint Committee intends to review specific major areas of policy falling within the remit of the Minister for Education and Science. As part of that process, the Minister may be invited to appear before the Committee to outline policy and respond to detailed questions. Where necessary, the Committee will also seek submissions from the public and may, if the need arises, engage persons with particular expertise to advise and assist it in its work.

B. DÁIL SELECT COMMITTEE

2.Consideration of Estimates for Public Services under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science referred to the Committee by Dáil Éireann.

3.Proposals contained in any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 157 concerning the approval by the Dáil of International Agreements involving a charge on public funds as shall be referred to it by Dáil Éireann from time to time.

The above work programme was agreed by the Joint Committee at its meeting on 26 February, 2004

Members of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Education and Science

ORDERS OF REFERENCE

“(1)(a)That a Select Committee, which shall be called the Select Committee on Education and Science consisting of 11 members of Dáil Éireann (of whom 4 shall constitute a quorum), be appointed to consider -

(i)such Bills the statute law in respect of which is dealt with by the Department of Education and Science;

(ii)such Estimates for Public Services within the aegis of the Department of Education and Science; and

(iii)such proposals contained in any motion, including any motion within the meaning of Standing Order 157 concerning the approval by the Dáil of international agreements involving a charge on public funds,

(b)For the purpose of its consideration of Bills and proposals under paragraphs (1)(a)(i) and (iii), the Select Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 81(1), (2) and (3).

(c)For the avoidance of doubt, by virtue of his or her ex officio membership of the Select Committee in accordance with Standing Order 90(1), the Minister for Education and Science (or a Minister or Minister of State nominated in his or her stead) shall be entitled to vote.

(2)(a) The Select Committee shall be joined with a Select Committee to be appointed by Seanad Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Education and Science to consider -

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Education and Science as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies under the aegis of that Department;

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister for Education and Science is officially responsible as it may select;

(iii)such related policy issues as it may select concerning bodies which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by Members of the Government or by the Oireachtas;

(iv)such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Education and Science and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select;

(v)such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 81(4);

(vi)the strategy statement laid before each House of the Oireachtas by the Minister for Education and Science pursuant to section 5(2) of the Public Service Management Act, 1997, and the Joint Committee shall be so authorised for the purposes of section 10 of that Act;

(vii)such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 2(a)(i) and (iii), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select;

Provided that the Joint Committee shall not, at any time, consider any matter relating to such a body which is, which has been, or which is, at that time, proposed to be considered by the Committee of Public Accounts pursuant to the Orders of Reference of that Committee and/or the Comptroller and Auditor General (Amendment) Act, 1993;

Provided further that the Joint Committee shall refrain from inquiring into in public session, or publishing confidential information regarding, any such matter if so requested either by the body concerned or by the Minister for Education and Science; and

(viii)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas,

and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be five, of whom at least one shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 81(1) to (9) inclusive.

(3)The Chairman of the Joint Committee, who shall be a member of Dáil Éireann, shall also be Chairman of the Select Committee.”.

“(1)(a)That a Select Committee consisting of 4 members of Seanad Éireann shall be appointed to be joined with a Select Committee of Dáil Éireann to form the Joint Committee on Education and Science to consider —

(i)such public affairs administered by the Department of Education and Science as it may select, including, in respect of Government policy, bodies under the aegis of that Department;

(ii)such matters of policy for which the Minister for Education and Science is officially responsible as it may select;

(iv)such Statutory Instruments made by the Minister for Education and Science and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas as it may select;

(v)such proposals for EU legislation and related policy issues as may be referred to it from time to time, in accordance with Standing Order 65(4);

(vii)such annual reports or annual reports and accounts, required by law and laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas, of bodies specified in paragraphs 1(a)(i) and (iii), and the overall operational results, statements of strategy and corporate plans of these bodies, as it may select;

and

(viii)such other matters as may be jointly referred to it from time to time by both Houses of the Oireachtas,

and shall report thereon to both Houses of the Oireachtas.

(b)The quorum of the Joint Committee shall be five, of whom at least one shall be a member of Dáil Éireann and one a member of Seanad Éireann.

(c)The Joint Committee shall have the powers defined in Standing Order 65(1) to (9) inclusive.

Powers of Dáil Select Committee

Text of the Dáil Standing Order 81 referred to in Dáil Select Committee’s Orders of Reference:

81. Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 80, the Dáil may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1) power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2) power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3) power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Dáil;

(4) power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation and to consider and report to the Dáil on such proposals for EU legislation as may be referred to it from time to time by any Committee established by the Dáil (whether acting jointly with the Seanad or otherwise) to consider such proposals and upon which has been conferred the power to refer such proposals to another Select Committee;

(5) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6) power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: Provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7) subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: Provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Dáil;

(8) power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(a)such rules as may be determined by the sub-Committee on Dáil Reform from time to time under Standing Order 97(3)(b);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 98(2)(a); and

Powers of Seanad Select Committee

Text of Seanad Standing Order 65 referred to as such in Seanad Select Committee’s Orders of Reference:

“65.Without prejudice to the generality of Standing Order 64, the Seanad may confer any or all of the following powers on a Select Committee:

(1)power to take oral and written evidence and to print and publish from time to time minutes of such evidence taken in public before the Select Committee together with such related documents as the Select Committee thinks fit;

(2)power to invite and accept written submissions from interested persons or bodies;

(3)power to appoint sub-Committees and to refer to such sub-Committees any matter comprehended by its orders of reference and to delegate any of its powers to such sub-Committees, including power to report directly to the Seanad;

(4)power to draft recommendations for legislative change and for new legislation and to consider and report to the Seanad on such proposals for EU legislation as may be referred to it from time to time by any Committee established by the Seanad (whether acting jointly with the Dáil or otherwise) to consider such proposals and upon which has been conferred the power to refer such proposals to another Select Committee;

(5)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss policy for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such policy;

(6)power to require that a member of the Government or Minister of State shall attend before the Select Committee to discuss proposed primary or secondary legislation (prior to such legislation being published) for which he or she is officially responsible: provided that a member of the Government or Minister of State may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad: and provided further that a member of the Government or Minister of State may request to attend a meeting of the Select Committee to enable him or her to discuss such proposed legislation;

(7)subject to any constraints otherwise prescribed by law, power to require that principal office holders in bodies in the State which are partly or wholly funded by the State or which are established or appointed by members of the Government or by the Oireachtas shall attend meetings of the Select Committee, as appropriate, to discuss issues for which they are officially responsible: provided that such an office holder may decline to attend for stated reasons given in writing to the Select Committee, which may report thereon to the Seanad;

(8)power to engage, subject to the consent of the Minister for Finance, the services of persons with specialist or technical knowledge, to assist it or any of its sub-Committees in considering particular matters; and

(a)such rules as may be determined by the Committee on Procedure and Privileges from time to time under Standing Order 84(1)(e);

(b)such recommendations as may be made by the Working Group of Committee Chairmen under Standing Order 89; and

APPENDIX 6

WORK PROGRAMME 2004

Houses of the Oireachtas

Tithe an Oireachtais

Joint Committee on Education and Science

An Comhchoiste Um Oideachas agus Eolaíocht

Work Programme 2004

Clár Oibre 2004

February 2004

Feabhra 2004

Contents

Introduction

Joint Committee on Education and Science

Work Programme 2004

A. JOINT COMMITTEE

Bodies under the aegis of the Department of Education and Science

Travel

Oireachtas Scrutiny of European Business

B. DÁIL SELECT COMMITTEE

Members of the Joint Committee

Joint Committee on Education and Science

ORDERS OF REFERENCE

Powers of Dáil Select Committee

Powers of Seanad Select Committee