Vol. 541 No. 4
132 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in establishing a commission on teaching within the timescale set out in his statement to Dáil Éireann in February 2001; his proposals regarding this matter; and the timescale for its implementation. [22992/01]
There is no significant delay in the establishment of the Commission on Education and Learning which I initially proposed earlier this year. Work is at an advanced stage within my Department on draft terms of reference for the commission, which will cover a wide range of issues including legal and management structures, developments in education and learning, the role of the teacher, teacher training and accreditation, support systems for schools and teachers and lifelong learning. I will consult shortly with the education partners in relation to these terms of reference as well as the composition and timescale of the commission. It is my intention that the commission would be established once these consultations are completed and I will announce the membership of the commission at that time.
