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Number 30 of 1979
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL AWARDS ACT, 1979
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section | |
Terms of office, remuneration, removal and resignation of members of Council (other than Director). | |
The Council
Boards of Studies
Number 30 of 1979
NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR EDUCATIONAL AWARDS ACT, 1979
Interpretation.
1.— (1) In this Act—
“board of studies” has the meaning assigned to it by section 9 of this Act;
“the Council” has the meaning assigned to it by section 2 of this Act;
“the Director” has the meaning assigned to it by section 10 of this Act;
“functions” includes powers and duties;
“institution to which this Act applies” means—
(a) an Coláiste Náisiúnta Ealaíne is Deartha,
(b) the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin,
(c) the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick,
(d) Thomond College of Education, Limerick,
(e) any Regional Technical College,
(f) any institution specified in an order made under section 20 of this Act by the Minister;
“the Minister” means the Minister for Education;
“staff” means academic staff or administrative staff;
“an tÚdarás” means An tÚdarás urn Árd-Oideachas.
(2) A reference in this Act to the performance of functions includes a reference to the exercise of powers and the performance of duties.
Establishment of Council.
2.—(1) There shall, by virtue of this section, be established a body which shall be known in the Irish language as Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáiliochtaí Oideachais and in the English language as the National Council for Educational Awards to perform the functions assigned to it by this Act (which body is in this Act referred to as “the Council”).
(2) The Council shall be a body corporate with perpetual succession and power to sue and be sued in its corporate name and to acquire, hold and dispose of land.
(3) The provisions of the First Schedule to this Act shall apply to the Council.
Functions of Council.
3.—(1) The functions of the Council shall be generally to encourage, facilitate, promote, co-ordinate and develop technical, industrial, scientific, technological and commercial education, and education in art or design, provided outside the universities, whether professional, vocational or technical, and to encourage and promote liberal education.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Council may—
(a) confer, grant or give degrees, diplomas, certificates or other educational awards to or on persons who—
(i) (I) the Council is satisfied have attended or otherwise pursued or followed courses of study or instruction conducted by, or provided under the supervision of, an institution to which this Act applies and which are courses which for the time being stand approved of by the Council, and
(II) have either—
(A) attained a standard regarded by the Council as satisfactory in examinations or other tests of knowledge or ability which are either prescribed or set by the Council or for the time being stand so approved of and relate to such courses, or
(B) performed in a manner regarded by the Council as satisfactory other exercises which both so relate and for the time being stand so approved of,
or
(ii) have either attained a standard regarded by the Council as satisfactory in examinations or other tests of knowledge or ability or have performed other exercises in a manner regarded by the Council as satisfactory and who have carried out, under the supervision of an institution to which this Act applies, and in a manner regarded as satisfactory by the Council, a programme of research approved of by the Council,
(b) either recognise a degree, diploma, certificate or other educational award conferred, granted or given to persons who successfully complete such courses, or approve of such course of study or instruction, if it is satisfied that the standard in general of both—
(i) a particular course of study or instruction conducted by, or provided under the supervision of, an institution to which this Act applies and relating to professional, scientific or vocational education (which course may be concerned with liberal arts), and
(ii) the examinations or other tests of knowledge or ability conducted in relation to such course,
corresponds or is analogous to any relevant standards for the time being in force in universities,
(c) assess the standard maintained for the time being by any institution to which this Act applies as regards any course of study or instruction approved of by the Council,
(d) for the purpose of promoting degrees, diplomas, certificates or other educational awards conferred, granted or given by it—
(i) take such steps as it considers appropriate either within or outside the State,
(ii) co-ordinate, or assist in co-ordinating, in such manner as it considers appropriate, any two or more such courses of study or instruction conducted by, or provided under the supervision of, one or more institutions to which this Act applies,
(iii) for the purpose of enabling them to attend or otherwise pursue or follow any such course, assist the transfer of students from one such institution to another such institution,
(e) through an tÚdarás advise the Minister in relation to the cost of providing, or continuing to provide, or the financing of any course of study or instruction approved of by the Council or the cost of modifying any course of study or instruction to the extent necessary to secure its approval by the Council.
(3) (a) The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service and after consultation with such other Minister of the Government (if any) as the Minister considers to be concerned, by order assign to the Council such functions relating to technical, industrial, scientific, technological or commercial education, or education in art or design, (being functions additional to those assigned by this Act) as the Minister thinks fit.
(b) Where an order under this section is proposed to be made, a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.
(4) In performing its functions the Council shall bear constantly in mind the national aims of restoring the Irish language and preserving and developing the national culture and shall endeavour to promote the attainment of those aims.
(5) (a) Any degree, diploma, certificate or other educational award conferred, granted or given to or on a person by the body of persons which, immediately before the commencement of the Act, called itself the National Council for Educational Awards, shall, from such commencement be regarded as having been conferred, granted, or given by the Council.
(b) Any course of study or instruction conducted by, or provided under the supervision of an institution to which this Act applies and which, immediately before the commencement of this Act, stood approved of by the body of persons referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall for the purposes of the Act be regarded as having been approved of by the Council immediately after the commencement of this Act.
(6) The Council may attach conditions (including conditions requiring arrangements to be made and maintained to enable persons attending or otherwise pursuing or following courses of study or instruction to gain industrial or commercial experience) to any approval or recognition given under this Act, vary such conditions, and withdraw any such approval or recognition.
Members of Council.
4.—The members of the Council shall be a chairman, the Director and twenty-three other members.
Appointment of ordinary members.
5.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the members of the Council, other than the chairman or the Director, shall each be appointed by the Government and of those members—
(a) nine shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister,
(b) two shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Governing Body of the National Institute for Higher Education, Dublin,
(c) two shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Governing Body of the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick,
(d) two shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Governing Body of Thomond College of Education, Limerick,
(e) one shall be so appointed on the recommendation of Bord an Choláiste Náisiúnta Ealaíne is Deartha,
(f) four shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister from amongst those who are members of the staff of any university in the State, or any college or institution which is a constituent college of, or is recognised by, such a university, being a university, college, or institution standing for the time being designated for the purposes of this section by the Minister, and
(g) three shall be so appointed on the recommendation of the Minister from amongst those who are members of the governing or managing body or of the staff of, or are students at, any institution to which this Act applies.
(2) Before making a recommendation pursuant to subsection (1) (a) of this section as regards an appointment by the Government under this section, the Minister shall consider to what extent industry, agriculture, fisheries, commerce, any of the professions or the management, staff and students of any institution to which this Act applies need representation on the Council.
(3) (a) Where a casual vacancy occurs among the members of the Council other than the chairman or the Director, the vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Government of a person on the recommendation of the Minister or the body by whom the member occasioning the vacancy was recommended.
(b) A person appointed under this subsection shall, unless he sooner resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office for the remainder of the period for which the member of the Council occasioning the vacancy, if he had continued to be such a member, would have held office.
Chairman and deputy-chairman of Council.
6.—(1) The Government shall from time to time as occasion requires appoint in a part-time capacity a person to be chairman of the Council, and an appointment under this subsection shall, if necessary, operate to make the person to whom it relates a member of the Council.
(2) The Council shall, from time to time as occasion requires, appoint from amongst its members (other than the chairman or the Director) a member to be deputy-chairman thereof.
(3) The deputy-chairman of the Council shall, unless he sooner becomes chairman or resigns the office of deputy-chairman or ceases to be deputy-chairman under subsection (8) of this section, hold office until the expiration of his period of office as a member of the Council.
(4) The chairman or deputy-chairman of the Council may at any time resign his office as chairman or deputy-chairman by letter sent to the Minister, and the resignation shall, unless it is previously withdrawn in writing, take effect at the commencement of the meeting of the Council held next after the Council has been informed by the Minister of the resignation.
(5) The chairman of the Council may, on the recommendation of the Minister, be removed from the office of chairman by the Government.
(6) Where a person ceases to hold the office of chairman of the Council, he shall at the same time cease to be a member of the Council.
(7) Where the chairman of the Council ceases to hold office otherwise than by the effluxion of time, the vacancy shall be filled as soon as may be by an appointment by the Government under subsection (1) of this section and the person so appointed shall, unless he sooner resigns or becomes disqualified, hold the office of chairman for the remainder of the period for which the person occasioning the vacancy, if he had continued to be chairman of the Council, would have held office.
(8) Where the deputy-chairman of the Council ceases during his term of office as such to be a member of the Council, he shall also then cease to be deputy-chairman of the Council.
Qualification of members of Council.
7.—A person shall not be eligible for membership of the Council if—
(a) he is for the time being entitled under Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein,
(b) he is an undischarged bankrupt,
(c) within the immediately preceding period of three years he has, under the protection or procedure of a court, made a composition or arrangement with his creditors,
(d) within the immediately preceding period of five years he has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Terms of office, remuneration, removal and resignation of members of Council (other than Director).
8.—(1) (a) Subject to subsections (2), (3), (5) and (6) of this section, the chairman or any other member of the Council, other than the Director, shall be appointed for a term not exceeding five years and his appointment may be renewed for a further term not exceeding five years.
(b) Subject to paragraph (a) of this subsection and subsections (2), (4), (5) and (6) of this section, a member of the Council shall hold his office on such terms and conditions as the Government shall, at the time of the appointment and on the recommendation of the Minister, determine.
(2) After a continuous period of ten years in office a member of the Council, other than the chairman or Director, shall not be eligible for appointment to membership of the Council until a period of two years beginning on the day on which he shall have ceased to hold office has elapsed.
(3) The chairman or any other member of the Council (other than the Director) shall be paid out of funds at the disposal of the Council, such remuneration (if any) and such allowances for expenses as the Minister, with the approval of the Minister for the Public Service, may decide.
(4) Where the chairman of the Council or any other member thereof, other than the Director, attains the age of seventy years, he shall thereupon cease to hold office.
(5) A member of the Council, other than the chairman or the Director, may be removed from membership of the Council by the Government on the recommendation of the Minister.
(6) Where a member of the Council—
(a) is adjudicated bankrupt or makes, under the protection or procedure of a court, a composition or arrangement with his creditors,
(b) is sentenced to a term of imprisonment by a court of competent jurisdiction,
he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the Council.
(7) A member of the Council, other than the chairman or the Director, may resign his office by letter addressed to the Minister, and the resignation shall take effect as on and from the date on which the letter is received.
Boards of Studies.
9.—(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council may from time to time appoint such and so many bodies of persons as it thinks proper (each of which bodies is in this Act referred to as “a board of studies”) to assist the Council in such manner as the Council shall direct.
(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) of this section, the Council may make arrangements for a board of studies to perform on its behalf any of its functions, other than the functions mentioned in subsection (6) of this section, which, in its opinion, can be better or more conveniently performed by a committee, and subject to the provisions of this Act may regulate the procedure of any such board.
(3) The Council may request a board of studies to make, in relation to specified subjects, courses of study or specified branches, areas, aspects or other divisions of education or research, recommendations to the Council concerning any one or more of the following:
(a) the courses of study or instruction therein to be followed by persons for the purpose of obtaining an educational award from the Council,
(b) standards to be maintained as regards any such course or other conditions subject to or in accordance with which any such course is to be conducted,
(c) the standards to be applied and maintained in relation to examinations or tests undertaken by persons attending or otherwise pursuing or following any such course.
(4) In deciding whether or not to make recommendations to the Council a board of studies shall have particular regard to the following:
(a) the standard of the work and the facilities for the time being available at any institution at which the course of study or instruction being considered is conducted or at which it is proposed to have the course being considered conducted, as may be appropriate,
(b) the curriculum and syllabus of the courses of study or instruction being considered,
(c) the requisite qualifications or the proposed such qualifications of persons conducting such course,
(d) the arrangements and facilities provided, or to be provided, for the practical training of persons attending or otherwise pursuing or following such courses,
(e) the arrangements and facilities provided, or to be provided, for the examination or testing of such persons,
(f) the standards required or proposed for admission to such courses, and
(g) the standard required or proposed for the award of any degree, diploma, certificate or other educational award at the conclusion or at any other stage of the course:
Provided that a board of studies in making recommendations under this subsection in relation to the standard required or proposed for admission to a course for, or for the conferring, granting or giving of a degree, diploma, certificate or other educational award, shall have regard to any corresponding standard required by a university in the State and shall not recommend a standard which is lower than such a standard (if any).
(5) The provisions of the Second Schedule to this Act shall apply to every board of studies.
(6) The functions referred to in subsection (2) of this section are the granting of awards, diplomas, or degrees, the fixing of any remuneration, the making of any allowances for expenses, the making of disbursements or the consideration of any other matter related to expenditure and the appointment, supervision or dismissal of officers (including the Director) or servants of the Council.
(7) Nothing in this section shall be construed as affecting the power of the Council, apart from this section, to appoint committees.
Director.
10.—(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Council shall, with the approval of the Minister, from time to time appoint in a whole-time capacity a person to be the chief officer of the Council, and such officer is in this Act referred to as “the Director”.
(2) If the person who on the passing of this Act is employed as its chief officer (whether that officer is described as the Chief Officer or otherwise) by the body of persons referred to in section 3 (5) (a) of this Act is still so employed immediately before the commencement of this Act, then subject to his agreement thereto that person shall be the person first appointed to be the Director.
(3) (a) The Director shall, in accordance with any direction given to him in that behalf by the Council, control and direct the activities of the Council and the staff of the Council.
(b) The Director may from time to time make to the Council such proposals regarding the functions of the Council as he shall consider appropriate.
(c) The Council shall consider any proposal made to it by the Director under this subsection.
(4) In case the Director by virtue of section 8 (6) of this Act ceases to be a member of the Council, he shall at the same time also cease to hold the office of Director.
Officers and servants.
11.—(1) The Council may appoint such and so many persons to be its officers (in addition to the Director) and servants as, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, it from time to time thinks proper.
(2) An officer (including the Director) or servant of the Council shall hold his office or employment on such terms and conditions as the Council, subject to the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may from time to time determine.
(3) The Council may not remove or suspend any of its officers (including the Director) from office save with the consent of the Minister.
(4) Subject to subsection (5) of this section, there shall be paid by the Council to its officers (including the Director) and servants such remuneration and allowances as the Council, with the approval of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may from time to time determine.
(5) Where a person who is an officer (including the Director) or servant of the Council is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann or for election to either House of the Oireachtas, he shall stand seconded from employment by the Council and shall not be paid by, or be entitled to receive from the Council any remuneration or allowances—
(a) in case he is nominated as a member of Seanad Éireann, in respect of the period commencing on his acceptance of the nomination and ending when he ceases to be a member of that House,
(b) in case he is nominated for election to either such House, in respect of the period commencing on his nomination and ending when he ceases to be a member of that House or fails to be elected or withdraws his candidature, as may be appropriate,
and in addition to the foregoing he shall not be entitled to reckon the whole or any part of such period for any benefits payable under any scheme under section 14 of this Act.
(6) A person who is for the time being entitled under the Standing Orders of either House of the Oireachtas to sit therein shall, while so entitled, be disqualified from becoming an officer (including the Director) or servant of the Council.
Consultants, assessors, examiners etc.
12.—(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) of this section, the Council may engage such consultants, examiners, assessors or advisers as it may consider necessary for the performance of its functions and any fees due to a consultant, examiner, assessor or adviser engaged pursuant to this section shall be paid by the Council out of moneys at its disposal.
(2) An examiner shall not be engaged pursuant to this section by the Council to participate in an examination or other test of knowledge or ability unless the course of study or instruction to which the examination relates for the time being stands approved of by the Council.
(3) The power vested in the Council by subsection (1) of this section shall, in so far as it is practical so to do, be exercised so as to ensure that the standard of any course of study or instruction, or any examination or other test of knowledge or ability, in relation to which the power is exercised or its syllabus corresponds or is analogous to any relevant standards for the time being in force in universities.
Transferred staff.
13.—(1) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this Act, is employed whole-time by the body of persons then calling itself the National Council for Educational Awards shall, on such commencement, be transferred to and become an officer or servant, as may be appropriate, of the Council, and all persons so transferred, shall, for so long as they remain in the employment of the Council, be members of the transferred staff of the Council and are in this Act referred to as “the Council's transferred staff”.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (4) of this section, a member of the Council's transferred staff shall not, while in the service of the Council, receive less remuneration or be subject to less beneficial conditions of service than the remuneration to which he was entitled and the conditions of service to which he was subject in the service from which he was transferred by virtue of this section.
(b) The conditions of service, restrictions, requirements and obligations to which a member of the Council's transferred staff was subject immediately before his transfer to the service of the Council shall, unless they are varied by agreement, continue to apply to him and may be exercised or imposed by the Council or the Director, as may be appropriate, while he is in the service of the Council.
(3) A member of the Council's transferred staff shall not, while in the service of the Council, be subject to less favourable conditions in relation to the grant of superannuation allowances (whether by way of lump sum, pension or gratuity or of compensation for loss of office) than the conditions which applied to him immediately before his transfer by virtue of this section to the service of the Council.
(4) (a) The Council may, following consultation with any recognised staff associations or trade unions concerned, redistribute or rearrange the duties to be performed by members of the Council's transferred staff who are employed in a particular grade or class of employment and every such member shall be bound to perform the duties allocated to him in any such redistribution or rearrangement.
(b) A redistribution or rearrangement referred to in paragraph (a) of this subsection shall not be taken to be removal from or abolition of office for the purpose of any scheme or enactment relating to superannuation or compensation for loss of office.
Superannuation.
14.—(1) As soon as may be after the passing of this Act, the Council shall, subject to section 13 (3) of this Act, prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme or schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on retirement or death to or in respect of such of its employees (including the Director) as the Council shall think fit.
(2) Every such scheme shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom pensions, gratuities or allowances are payable under the scheme, and different times and conditions may be fixed in respect of different classes of persons.
(3) The Council may at any time prepare and submit to the Minister a scheme amending a scheme previously submitted and approved of under this section.
(4) A scheme submitted to the Minister under this section shall, if approved of by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, be carried out by the Council in accordance with its terms.
(5) If any dispute arises as to the claim of any person to, or the amount of, any pension gratuity or allowance payable in pursuance of a scheme under this section, such dispute shall be submitted to the Minister for determination by him subject to the agreement of the Minister for the Public Service.
(6) No pension, gratuity, allowance or other payment shall be granted by the Council to or in respect of a member of its staff (including the Director) except under and in accordance with a scheme under this section, nor shall any arrangement be entered into by the Council without the approval of the Minister, given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, for the provision otherwise than by the Council of a pension, gratuity, allowance or other payment on the resignation, retirement or death of a member of its staff.
(7) The Minister shall cause every scheme submitted and approved of under this section to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is approved of and if either House, within the next twenty-one days on which that House has sat after the scheme is laid before it, passes a resolution annulling the scheme, the scheme shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
Report and information to Minister.
15.—(1) The Council shall, as soon as may be after the end of each of its financial years, prepare and submit to the Minister a report of its proceedings during that year, and the Minister shall cause copies of the report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
(2) The Council shall supply the Minister with such information regarding the performance of its functions as he may from time to time require.
Grants.
16.—In each year there shall, in accordance with section 12 (2) of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971, be paid by An tÚdarás to the Council, out of moneys received by it under section 12 (1) of the said Act, a grant or grants of such amount as An tÚdarás thinks fit.
Accounts and audits.
17.—(1) The Council shall keep, in such form as may be approved of by the Minister, all proper and usual accounts of all moneys received or expenses incurred by it, and, in particular, shall keep in such form as aforesaid such special accounts as the Minister, or the Minister at the request of the Minister for Finance, may from time to time direct.
(2) Accounts kept in pursuance of this section shall be submitted annually by the Council to the Comptroller and Auditor General for audit, on a date not later than the thirtieth of April in the year following that to which the accounts relate and, immediately after the audit, a copy of the accounts and of such other account, if any, as the Minister has directed to be kept, together with a copy of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Accounts shall be presented by the Council to the Minister.
(3) The Minister shall cause copies of accounts presented to him under this section by the Council, together with copies of the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General thereon, to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
Fees.
18.—The Council may charge, receive and recover fees for any approval given by it in relation to an examination or other test of knowledge or ability or any approval given, or any assessment made, by it as regards a course of study or instruction.
Gifts.
19.—(1) The Council may accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donor.
(2) The Council shall not accept a gift if the trusts or conditions attached by the donor are inconsistent with the functions of the Council.
Power to apply Act to certain colleges, etc.
20.—(1) The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, and after consultation with the Council and with such other Minister of the Government (if any) as the Minister considers to be concerned, by order designate any college, school or other educational institution other than a university, as being an institution to which this Act applies.
(2) The Minister may revoke or amend an order under this section (including an order under this subsection).
Expenses.
21.—The expenses incurred by the Minister in the administration of this Act shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance, be paid out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas.
Short title and commencement.
22.—(1) This Act may be cited as the National Council for Educational Awards Act, 1979.
(2) This Act shall come into operation on such day as the Minister appoints by order.
FIRST SCHEDULE
The Council
1. The chairman of the Council, the Director and each other member of the Council present at a meeting thereof shall have a vote.
2. (1) The Council shall hold so many meetings as may be necessary for the performance of its functions.
(2) The Minister shall fix the date, time and place of the first meeting of the Council.
3. The quorum for a meeting of the Council shall be eight members.
4. At a meeting of the Council—
(a) the chairman of the Council shall, if he is present, be chairman of the meeting,
(b) if and for so long as the chairman of the Council is not present, or the office of chairman is vacant, the deputy-chairman shall, if he is present, be chairman of the meeting,
(c) if and so long as the chairman of the Council is not present or the office of chairman is vacant and the deputy-chairman of the Council is not present or the office of deputy-chairman is vacant, the members of the Council who are present shall choose one of their number to be chairman of the meeting.
5. Every question at a meeting of the Council on which there is disagreement among the members present shall be determined by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting on the question and, in the case of an equal division of votes, the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
6. Subject to Article 3 of this Schedule, the Council may act notwithstanding one or more than one vacancy among its members.
7. The Council may perform such of its functions as it may deem proper through the Director.
8. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Council shall regulate, by standing orders or otherwise, its procedure and business.
9. (1) The Council shall, as soon as may be after its establishment, provide itself with a seal.
(2) The seal of the Council shall be authenticated by the signature of the chairman thereof or of a member of the Council authorised by the Council to act in that behalf and the signature of an officer authorised by the Council to act in that behalf.
(3) Judicial notice shall be taken of the seal of the Council and every document purporting to be an instrument made by and to be sealed with the seal of the Council (purporting to be authenticated in accordance with this Schedule) shall be received in evidence and be deemed to be such instrument without proof unless the contrary is shown.
SECOND SCHEDULE
Boards of Studies
1. A board of studies shall consist of the Director and such number of other members as the Council shall think proper and may, at the discretion of the Council, consist, apart from the Director, partly of persons who are members of the Council and partly of other persons, or exclusively of persons who are not members of the Council.
2. The Council may appoint a person to be chairman of a board of studies.
3. The appointment by the Council of a person to membership of a board of studies shall be subject to such conditions (including conditions as to terms and the tenure of office of the member) as the Council, with the consent of the Minister given with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may think fit to impose when making the appointment.
4. There may be paid, out of moneys at the disposal of the Council, to members of a board of studies such expenses of travel and subsistence as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Minister for the Public Service, may determine.
5. The Council may at any time dissolve a board of studies or remove a member thereof (other than the Director) from membership of the board.
Act Referred to | |
1971, No. 22 | |
Uimhir 30 de 1979
AN tACHT UM CHOMHAIRLE NÁISIÚNTA NA gCÁILÍOCHTAÍ OIDEACHAIS, 1979
[An tiontú oifigiúil]
Léiriú.
1.—(1) San Acht seo—
tá le “bord staidéar” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 9 den Acht seo;
tá le “an Chomhairle” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 2 den Acht seo;
tá le “an Stiúrthóir” an bhrí a shanntar dó le halt 10 den Acht seo;
folaíonn “feidhmeanna” cumhachtaí agus dualgais;
ciallaíonn “foras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo”—
(a) an Coláiste Náisiúnta Ealaíne is Deartha,
(b) an Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Baile Átha Cliath,
(c) an Foras Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach,
(d) Coláiste Oideachais Thuamhumhan, Luimneach,
(e) aon Cheard-Choláiste Réigiúnach,
(f) aon fhoras a shonrófar in ordú ón Aire faoi alt 20 den Acht seo;
ciallaíonn “an tAire” an tAire Oideachais;
ciallaíonn “foireann” foireann acadúil nó foireann riaracháin;
ciallaíonn “an tÚdarás” an tÚdarás um Ard-Oideachas.
(2) Folaíonn tagairt san Acht seo do chomhlíonadh feidhmeanna tagairt d'fheidhmiú cumhachtaí agus do chomhlíonadh dualgas.
An Chomhairle a bhunú.
2.—(1) Bunófar, de bhua an ailt seo, comhlacht ar a dtabharfar sa Ghaeilge Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais agus sa Bhéarla the National Council for Educational Awards chun na feidhmeanna a shanntar dó leis an Acht seo a chomhlíonadh (comhlacht dá ngairtear “an Chomhairle” san Acht seo).
(2) Beidh an Chomhairle ina comhlacht corpraithe agus comharbas suthain aici agus beidh cumhacht agartha aici agus beidh sí inagartha faoina hainm corpraithe agus beidh cumhacht aici talamh a fháil, a theachtadh agus a dhiúscairt.
(3) Bainfidh forálacha an Chéad Sceidil a ghabhann leis an Acht seo leis an gComhairle.
Feidhmeanna na Comhairle.
3.—(1) Is iad feidhmeanna na Comhairle i gcoitinne oideachas teicniúil, tionscail, eolaíoch, teicneolaíoch agus tráchtála, mar aon le hoideachas in ealaín nó i ndearadh, a chuirtear ar fáil lasmuigh de na hollscoileanna, cibé acu is oideachas sainghairmiúil, gairmoideachas nó oideachas teicniúil é, a spreagadh, a éascú, a fhothú, a chomheagrú agus a fhorbairt, agus oideachas liobrálach a spreagadh agus a fhothú.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Chomhairle—
(a) céimeanna, dioplómaí, teastais nó cáilíochtaí eile oideachais a bhronnadh ar dhaoine, nó a dhámhadh nó a thabhairt do dhaoine—
(i) (I) ar deimhin leis an gComhairle gur fhreastail siad ar chúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc, nó go ndearna nó gur lean siad, ar athrach dóigh, cúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc, a sheol foras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo nó a cuireadh ar fáil faoi mhaoirseacht fhoras den sórt sin agus ar cúrsaí iad atá ceadaithe de thuras na huaire ag an gComhairle, agus
(II) (A) a bhfuil caighdeán a mheasann an Chomhairle a bheith sásúil sroichte acu i scrúduithe nó i dtástálacha eile eolais nó ábaltachta atá forordaithe nó leagtha amach ag an gComhairle nó atá ceadaithe amhlaidh de thuras na huaire agus a bhaineann leis na cúrsaí sin, nó
(B) a bhfuil cleachtais eile a bhaineann amhlaidh agus atá ceadaithe amhlaidh de thuras na huaire déanta acu ar dhóigh a mheasann an Chomhairle a bheith sásúil,
nó
(ii) a bhfuil caighdeán a mheasann an Chomhairle a bheith sásúil sroichte acu i scrúduithe nó i dtástálacha eile eolais nó ábaltachta nó a bhfuil cleachtais eile déanta acu ar dhóigh a mheasann an Chomhairle a bheith sásúil agus a bhfuil, faoi mhaoirseacht fhoras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo, agus ar dhóigh a mheasann an Chomhairle a bheith sásúil, clár taighde atá ceadaithe ag an gComhairle déanta acu.
(b) aitheantas a thabhairt do chéim, dioplóma, teastas nó cáilíocht eile oideachais a bhronnfar ar dhaoine, nó a dhámhfar nó a thabharfar do dhaoine, a chríochnóidh na cúrsaí sin go sásúil, nó d'eile, an cúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc sin a cheadú, más deimhin léi go bhfuil an caighdeán i gcoitinne—
(i) i gcúrsa áirithe staidéir nó teagaisc a sheolann foras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo nó atá curtha ar fáil faoi mhaoirseacht fhoras den sórt sin agus a bhaineann le hoideachas sainghairmiúil, le hoideachas eolaíoch nó le gairmoideachas (ar cúrsa é a bhféadfaidh baint a bheith aige leis na healaíona liobrálacha), agus
(ii) sna scrúduithe nó sna tástálacha eile eolais nó ábaltachta a sheoltar i ndáil leis an gcúrsa sin,
ar comhréir nó ar comhréim le haon chaighdeáin iomchuí a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire in ollscoileanna,
(c) an caighdeán a mheasúnú atá á choimeád de thuras na huaire ag aon fhoras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo maidir le haon chúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc atá ceadaithe ag an gComhairle,
(d) d'fhonn céimeanna, dioplómaí, teastais nó cáilíochtaí eile oideachais a bhronnann nó a dhámhann nó a thugann sí a fhothú—
(i) cibé bearta is iomchuí léi a dhéanamh sa Stát nó lasmuigh den Stát,
(ii) comheagar a chur, nó cabhrú lena chur, i cibé slí is iomchuí léi, ar aon dá chúrsa, nó ar aon chuid is mó ná dhá chúrsa, staidéir nó teagaisc den sórt sin a sheolann foras nó forais, nó a chuirtear ar fáil faoi mhaoirseacht foras nó forais, lena mbaineann an tAcht seo,
(iii) d'fhonn a chur ar a gcumas freastal ar aon chúrsa den sórt sin nó é a dhéanamh nó a leanúint, cabhrú le mic léinn a aistriú ó fhoras amháin den sórt sin go dtí foras eile den sórt sin,
(e) comhairle a thabhairt, tríd an Údarás, don Aire i ndáil leis an gcostas a ghabhann le haon chúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gComhairle a chur ar fáil, nó le leanúint dá chur ar fáil, nó lena mhaoiniú, nó i ndáil leis an gcostas a ghabhann le haon chúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc a mhodhnú a mhéid is gá chun a áirithiú go gceadóidh an Chomhairle é.
(3) (a) Féadfaidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí agus tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh le cibé Aire Rialtais eile (más ann) a measfaidh an tAire baint a bheith aige leis, cibé feidhmeanna is oiriúnach leis an Aire i ndáil le hoideachas teicniúil, tionscail, eolaíoch, teicneolaíoch nó tráchtála, nó le hoideachas in ealaín nó dearadh, a shannadh le hordú don Chomhairle (ar feidhmeanna iad de bhreis ar na feidhmeanna a shanntar leis an Acht seo).
(b) I gcás a mbeartófar ordú faoin alt seo a dhéanamh, leagfar dréacht den ordú faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas agus ní dhéanfar an t-ordú go dtí go mbeidh rún ag ceadú an dréachta rite ag gach Teach acu.
(4) Ag comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna don Chomhairle coimeádfaidh sí i gcuimhne i gcónaí na haidhmeanna náisiúnta atá ann an Ghaeilge a aisiriú agus an tasíocht náisiúnta a chaomhnú agus a fhorbairt agus féachfaidh sí le cabhrú leis na haidhmeanna sin a chur i gcrích.
(5) (a) Aon chéim, dioplóma, teastas nó cáilíocht eile oideachais a bhronn an comhlacht daoine a ghair Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais de féin díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo ar dhuine, nó a dhámh nó a thug sé do dhuine, measfar, amhail ón tosach feidme sin amach, gurbh í an Chomhairle a bhronn, a dhámh nó a thug é.
(b) Aon chúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc a sheol foras, nó a cuireadh ar fáil faoi mhaoirseacht fhoras, lena mbaineann an tAcht seo agus a bhí, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, ceadaithe ag an gcomhlacht daoine dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo, measfar, chun críocha an Achta, é a bheith ceadaithe ag an gComhairle díreach tar éis tosach feidhme an Achta seo.
(6) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear coinníollacha á cheangal comhshocraíochtaí a dhéanamh agus a choimeád chun a chumasú do dhaoine a fhreastalaíonn ar chúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc, nó a dhéanann nó a leanann cúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc ar athrach dóigh, taithí thionscail nó thráchtála a fháil) a chur ag gabháil le haon cheadú nó aitheantas a thabharfar faoin Acht seo, coinníollacha den sórt sin a athrú agus aon cheadú nó aitheantas den sórt sin a tharraingt siar.
Comhaltaí na Comhairle.
4.—Is iad comhaltaí na Comhairle cathaoirleach, an Stiúrthóir agus trí chomhalta is fiche eile.
Gnáthchomhaltaí a cheapadh.
5.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, is é an Rialtas a cheapfaidh gach duine de chomhaltaí na Comhairle, seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir agus as na comhaltaí sin—
(a) ceapfar naonúr amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire,
(b) ceapfar beirt amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Chomhlacht Ceannais an Fhorais Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Baile Átha Cliath,
(c) ceapfar beirt amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Chomhlacht Ceannais an Fhorais Náisiúnta um Ard-Oideachas, Luimneach,
(d) ceapfar beirt amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Chomhlacht Ceannais Choláiste Oideachais Thuamhumhan, Luimneach,
(e) ceapfar duine amháin amhlaidh ar mholadh ó Bhord an Choláiste Náisiúnta Ealaíne is Deartha,
(f) ceapfar ceathrar amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire as líon na ndaoine atá ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann aon ollscoil sa Stát, nó d'fhoireann aon choláiste nó aon fhorais is comhcholáiste d'ollscoil den sórt sin nó atá aitheanta ag ollscoil den sórt sin, is ollscoil, coláiste nó foras atá ainmnithe de thuras na huaire chun críocha an ailt seo ag an Aire, agus
(g) ceapfar triúr amhlaidh ar mholadh ón Aire as líon na ndaoine atá ina gcomhaltaí de chomhlacht ceannais nó bainistíochta, nó d'fhoireann, aon fhorais lena mbaineann an tAcht seo nó is mic léinn i bhforas den sórt sin.
(2) Sula ndéanfaidh an tAire moladh de bhun fho-alt (1) (a) den alt seo maidir le ceapachán ag an Rialtas faoin alt seo, breithneoidh sé cá mhéid is gá do thionscal, do thalmhaíocht, d'iascaigh, do thráchtáil, d'aon cheann de na gairmeacha, nó do bhainistíocht, d'fhoireann agus do mhic léinn aon fhorais lena mbaineann an tAcht seo, ionadaíocht a bheith acu ar an gComhairle.
(3) (a) I gcás corrfholúntas do tharlú i measc comhaltaí na Comhairle seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir, líonfar an folúntas tríd an Rialtas do cheapadh duine ar mholadh ón Aire nó ón gcomhlacht a mhol an comhalta ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas.
(b) Beidh duine a cheapfar faoin bhfo-alt seo i seilbh oifige, mura túisce a éireoidh sé as oifig nó a thiocfaidh sé faoi dhícháilíocht, ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha den tréimhse a mbeadh an comhalta den Chomhairle ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas i seilbh oifige ar a feadh dá leanfadh seisean de bheith ina chomhalta amhlaidh.
Cathaoirleach agus leas-chathaoirleach na Comhairle.
6.—(1) Déanfaidh an Rialtas ó am go ham de réir mar is gá sa chás duine a cheapadh i gcáil pháirtaimsire chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle, agus oibreoidh ceapachán faoin bhfo-alt seo, más gá, chun comhalta den Chomhairle a dhéanamh den duine lena mbaineann sé.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle ó am go ham de réir mar is gá sa chás duine a cheapadh as líon a comhaltaí (seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir) chun bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle.
(3) Beidh leas-chathaoirleach na Comhairle i seilbh oifige go dtí deireadh a thréimhse oifige mar chomhalta den Chomhairle mura túisce a dhéanfar cathaoirleach de nó a éireoidh sé as oifig an leaschathaoirligh nó a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach faoi fho-alt (8) den alt seo.
(4) Féadfaidh cathaoirleach nó leas-chathaoirleach na Comhairle éirí as a oifig tráth ar bith mar chathaoirleach nó mar leas-chathaoirleach trí litir a sheolfar chun an Aire agus glacfaidh an t-éirí as éifeacht, mura mbeidh sé tarraingthe siar i scríbhinn roimhe sin, ag tosach an chéad chruinnithe den Chomhairle a bheidh ann tar éis don Chomhairle scéala faoin éirí-as a fháil ón Aire.
(5) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, ar mholadh ón Aire, cathaoirleach na Comhairle a chur as oifig an chathaoirligh.
(6) I gcás duine do scor de bheith i seilbh oifig chathaoirleach na Comhairle, scoirfidh sé an tráth céanna de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle.
(7) I gcás cathaoirleach na Comhairle do scor de bheith i seilbh oifige seachas trí imeacht aimsire, líonfar an folúntas a luaithe is féidir trí cheapachán arna dhéanamh ag an Rialtas faoi fho-alt (1) den alt seo agus beidh an duine a cheapfar amhlaidh i seilbh oifig an chathaoirligh, mura túisce a éireoidh sé as oifig nó a thiocfaidh sé faoi dhícháilíocht, ar feadh a mbeidh fágtha den tréimhse a mbeadh an duine ba chúis leis an bhfolúntas i seilbh oifige ar a feadh dá leanfadh seisean de bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle.
(8) I gcás leas-chathaoirleach na Comhairle do scor le linn a théarma oifige mar leas-chathaoirleach de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle, scoirfidh sé ansin freisin de bheith ina leas-chathaoirleach ar an gComhairle.
Cáilíocht chomhaltaí na Comhairle.
7.—Ní bheidh duine i dteideal bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle—
(a) má bhíonn sé de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin,
(b) más féimheach gan urscaoileadh é,
(c) má rinne sé, sa tréimhse trí bliana díreach roimhe sin, faoi choimirce nó faoi nós imeachta cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe,
(d) má chuir cúirt dlínse inniúla, sa tréimhse cúig bliana díreach roimhe sin, téarma príosúnachta air.
Téarmaí oifige agus luach saothair chomhaltaí na comhairle (seachas an Stiúrthóir) agus a n-éirí as oifig.
8.—(1) (a) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2), (3), (5) agus (6) den alt seo, ceapfar an cathaoirleach nó aon chomhalta eile den Chomhairle, seachas an Stiúrthóir, go ceann téarma nach faide ná cúig bliana agus féadfar a cheapachán a athnuachan go ceann téarma breise nach faide ná cuig bliana.
(b) Faoi réir mhír (a) den fho-alt seo agus fho-ailt (2), (4), (5) agus (6) den alt seo, beidh comhalta den Chomhairle i seilbh a oifige ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Rialtas tráth an cheaptha agus ar mholadh ón Aire.
(2) Tar éis tréimhse leanúnach deich mbliana a chaitheamh in oifig ní bheidh comhalta den Chomhairle, ach amháin an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir, cáilithe lena cheapadh mar chomhalta den Chomhairle go dtí go mbeidh tréimhse dhá bhliain caite dar tosach an lá a mbeidh scortha aige de bheith i seilbh oifige.
(3) Íocfar leis an gcathaoirleach nó le haon chomhalta eile den Chomhairle (seachas an Stiúrthóir), as cistí a bheidh faoina réir ag an gComhairle, cibé luach saothair (más ann) agus cibé liúntais le haghaidh caiteachas a chinnfidh an tAire le ceadú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(4) I gcás cathaoirleach na Comhairle nó aon chomhalta eile den Chomhairle, seachas an Stiúrthóir, do shlánú seachtó bliain d'aois, scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith i seilbh oifige.
(5) Féadfaidh an Rialtas, ar mholadh ón Aire, comhalta den Chomhairle, seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir, a chur ó bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle.
(6) I gcás, maidir le comhalta den Chomhairle—
(a) go mbreithneofar ina fhéimheach é nó go ndéanfaidh sé, faoi choimirce nó faoi nós imeachta cúirte, imshocraíocht nó comhshocraíocht lena chreidiúnaithe,
(b) go gcuirfidh cúirt dlínse inniúla téarma príosúnachta air,
scoirfidh sé air sin de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle.
(7) Féadfaidh comhalta den Chomhairle, seachas an cathaoirleach nó an Stiúrthóir, éirí as a oifig trí litir a sheolfar chun an Aire, agus glacfaidh an t-éirí-as éifeacht amhail ar an agus ón dáta a gheofar an litir.
Boird staidéar.
9.—(1) Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo, féadfaidh an Chomhairle ó am go ham cibé comhlachtaí daoine agus cibé líon de chomhlachtaí daoine is cuí léi (a ngairtear “bord staidéar” san Acht seo de gach comhlacht díobh) a cheapadh chun cabhrú leis an gComhairle i cibé slí a ordóidh an Chomhairle.
(2) Gan dochar do ghinearáltacht fho-alt (1) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Chomhairle socrú a dhéanamh go gcomhlíonfaidh bord staidéar thar a ceann aon cheann dá feidhmeanna, seachas na feidhmeanna a luaitear i bhfo-alt (6) den alt seo, is dóigh léi a fhéadfaidh coiste a chomhlíonadh níos fearr nó níos acraí, agus faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo féadfaidh sí nós imeachta aon bhoird den sórt sin a rialú.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle a iarraidh ar bhord staidéar, i ndáil le hábhair shonraithe, cúrsaí staidéir nó brainsí, réimsí, gnéithe nó rannáin shonraithe oideachais nó taighde, moltaí a dhéanamh don Chomhairle maidir le haon cheann nó níos mó díobh seo a leanas:
(a) na cúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc iontu a bheidh le déanamh ag daoine chun cáilíocht oideachais a fháil ón gComhairle,
(b) na caighdeáin a bheidh le coimeád maidir le haon chúrsa den sórt sin nó na coinníollacha ar faoina réim nó ar dá réir a sheolfar aon chúrsa den sórt sin,
(c) na caighdeáin a bheidh le cur i bhfeidhm agus le coimeád i ndáil le scrúduithe nó tástálacha a sheasfaidh daoine a bheidh ag freastal ar aon chúrsa den sórt sin nó á dhéanamh nó á leanúint ar athrach dóigh.
(4) Le linn do bhord staidéar bheith á chinneadh an ndéanfaidh nó nach ndéanfaidh sé moltaí don Chomhairle tabharfaidh sé aird speisialta ar an méid seo a leanas:
(a) caighdeán na hoibre agus na saoráidí atá ar fáil de thuras na huaire in aon fhoras a bhfuil an cúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc atá faoi bhreithniú á sheoladh ann nó a bhfuil beartaithe an cúrsa atá faoi bhreithniú a sheoladh ann, de réir mar is iomchuí,
(b) cúrsa léinn agus siollabas na gcúrsaí staidéir nó teagaisc atá faoi bhreithniú,
(c) na cáilíochtaí atá riachtanach nó na cáilíochtaí a bheartaítear a bheith riachtanach do dhaoine a bheidh ag seoladh cúrsa den sórt sin,
(d) na socruithe agus na saoráidí atá curtha ar fáil, nó le cur ar fáil, chun oiliúint phraiticiúil a thabhairt do dhaoine a bheidh ag freastal ar chúrsaí den sórt sin, nó á ndéanamh nó á leanúint ar athrach dóigh,
(e) na socruithe agus na saoráidí atá curtha ar fáil, nó le cur ar fáil, chun daoine den sórt sin a scrúdú nó a thástáil,
(f) na caighdeáin atá riachtanach nó atá beartaithe chun bheith istigh ar chúrsaí den sórt sin, agus
(g) an caighdeán atá riachtanach nó atá beartaithe chun aon chéim, dioplóma, teastas nó cáilíocht eile oideachais a dhámhadh ag deireadh an chúrsa nó ag aon chéim eile den chúrsa:
Ar choinníoll go mbeidh aird ag bord staidéar, le linn dó moltaí a dhéanamh faoin bhfo-alt seo i ndáil leis an gcaighdeán atá riachtanach nó atá beartaithe chun bheith istigh ar chúrsa le haghaidh céime, dioplóma, deimhnithe nó cáilíochta eile oideachais, nó le haghaidh an céanna a bhronnadh, a dhámhadh nó a thabhairt, ar aon chaighdeán comhréire a éilíonn ollscoil sa Stát agus nach molfaidh sé caighdeán is ísle ná caighdeán den sórt sin (más ann).
(5) Bainfidh forálacha an Dara Sceideal a ghabhann leis an Acht seo le gach bord staidéar.
(6) Is iad na feidhmeanna dá dtagraítear i bhfo-alt (2) den alt seo cáilíochtaí, dioplómaí, nó céimeanna a dhámhadh, aon luach saothair a shocrú, aon liúntais a thabhairt le haghaidh caiteachas, eisíocaíochtaí a dhéanamh nó aon ní eile a bhaineann le caiteachas a bhreithniú agus oifigigh (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) nó seirbhísigh na Comhairle a cheapadh, a mhaoirsiú nó a dhífhostú.
(7) Ní fhorléireofar aon ní san alt seo mar ní a dhéanann difear do chumhacht na Comhairle, ar leith ón alt seo, coistí a cheapadh.
An Stiúrthóir.
10.—(1) Faoi réir fho-alt (2) den alt seo, déanfaidh an Chomhairle, le ceadú an Aire, duine a cheapadh ó am go ham i gcáil lánaimsire chun bheith ina phríomh-oifigeach don Chomhairle agus “an Stiúrthóir” a ghairtear san Acht seo den oifigeach sin.
(2) Má bhíonn an duine a bheidh, tráth an Achta seo a rith, fostaithe ag an gcomhlacht daoine dá dtagraítear in alt 3(5) (a) den Acht seo mar phríomh-oifigeach ar an gcomhlacht sin (cibé acu is Príomh-Oifigeach nó eile a thabharfar de thuairisc ar an oifigeach sin) fostaithe amhlaidh fós díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, ansin, faoi réir é féin do thoiliú leis, is é an duine sin a chéad-cheapfar le bheith ina Stiúrthóir.
(3) (a) Déanfaidh an Stiúrthóir, de réir aon ordachán a thabharfaidh an Chomhairle dó chuige sin, gníomhaíochtaí na Comhairle agus foireann na Comhairle a rialú agus a stiúradh.
(b) Féadfaidh an Stiúrthóir ó am go ham cibé tograí a mheasfaidh sé is iomchuí a dhéanamh chun na Comhairle i dtaobh feidhmeanna na Comhairle.
(c) Breithneoidh an Chomhairle aon togra ón Stiúrthóir faoin bhfo-alt seo.
(4) I gcás an Stiúrthóir do scor, de bhua alt 8 (6) den Acht seo, de bheith ina chomhalta den Chomhairle, scoirfidh sé an tráth céanna de bheith i seilbh oifig an Stiúrthóra.
Oifigigh agus seirbhísigh.
11.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle cibé daoine agus cibé líon daoine a cheapadh chun bheith ina n-oifigigh (i dteannta an Stiúrthóra) agus ina seirbhísigh di is cuí léi ó am go ham faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(2) Beidh oifigeach (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) nó seirbhíseach don Chomhairle i seilbh a oifige nó a fhostaíochta ar cibé téarmaí agus coinníollacha a chinnfidh an Chomhairle ó am go ham, faoi réir cheadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(3) Ní fhéadfaidh an Chomhairle aon oifigeach dá cuid (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) a chur as oifig ná a fhionraí ach amháin le toiliú an Aire.
(4) Faoi réir fho-alt (5) den alt seo, íocfaidh an Chomhairle lena hoifigigh (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) agus lena seirbhísigh cibé luach saothair agus liúntais a chinnfidh an Chomhairle ó am go ham le ceadú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(5) I gcás a ndéanfar duine is oifigeach (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) nó seirbhíseach don Chomhairle a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann nó lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí den Oireachtas, beidh sé ar iasacht ó fhostaíocht na Comhairle agus ní íocfaidh an Chomhairle leis, ná ní bheidh sé i dteideal go bhfaighidh sé ón gComhairle, aon luach saothair ná liúntais—
(a) i gcás é a ainmniú mar chomhalta de Sheanad Éireann, in aghaidh na tréimhse dar tosach an tráth a ghlacfaidh sé leis an ainmniú agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin,
(b) i gcás é a ainmniú lena thoghadh chun ceachtar Tí acu sin, in aghaidh na tréimhse dar tosach tráth a ainmnithe agus dar críoch an tráth a scoirfidh sé de bheith ina chomhalta den Teach sin nó a chinnfidh toghchán air nó a tharraingeoidh sé siar ó bheith ina iarrthóir, de réir mar is iomchuí,
agus i dteannta a bhfuil ráite anseo roimhe seo ní bheidh sé i dteideal iomlán na tréimhse sin ná aon chuid di a ríomh le haghaidh aon sochair is iníoctha faoi aon scéim faoi alt 14 den Acht seo.
(6) Duine a bheidh de thuras na huaire i dteideal faoi Bhuan-Orduithe cheachtar Tí den Oireachtas suí sa Teach sin beidh sé, fad a bheidh sé i dteideal amhlaidh, dícháilithe chun bheith ina oifigeach (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) nó ina sheirbhíseach don Chomhairle.
Sainchomhairleoirí, measúnóirí, scrúdaitheoirí, etc.
12.—(1) Faoi réir fho-ailt (2) agus (3) den alt seo, féadfaidh an Chomhairle cibé saincomhairleoirí, scrúdaitheoirí, measúnóirí nó comhairleoirí is dóigh léi is gá a fhruiliú chun a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh agus íocfaidh an Chomhairle as airgead a bheidh faoina réir aici aon táillí a bheidh dlite do shainchomhairleoir, do scrúdaitheoir, do mheasúnóir nó do chomhairleoir a fhruileofar de bhua an ailt seo.
(2) Ní fhruileoidh an Chomhairle scrúdaitheoir de bhun an ailt seo chun bheith páirteach i scrúdú nó i dtástáil eile eolais nó ábaltachta mura mbeidh an cúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc lena mbaineann an scrúdú ceadaithe de thuras na huaire ag an gComhairle.
(3) Déanfar an chumacht a dhílsítear don Chomhairle le fo-alt (1) den alt seo a fheidhmiú, a mhéid is praiticiúil sin a dhéanamh, d'fhonn a áirithiú go mbeidh an caighdeán in aon chúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc, nó in aon scrúdú nó tástáil eile eolais nó ábaltachta, a bhfeidhmítear an chumhacht ina leith nó a shiollabas ar comhréir nó ar comhréim le haon chaighdeáin iomchuí a bheidh i bhfeidhm de thuras na huaire in ollscoileanna.
Foireann aistrithe.
13.—(1) Déanfar gach duine a bheidh, díreach roimh thosach feidhme an Achta seo, fostaithe go lánaimseartha ag an gcomhlacht daoine a ghairfidh Comhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais de féin an tráth sin a aistriú, ar an tosach feidhme sin, chun na Comhairle agus tiocfaidh sé chun bheith ina oifigeach nó ina sheirbhíseach, de réir mar is iomchuí, don Chomhairle, agus na daoine go léir a aistreofar amhlaidh beidh siad, fad a fhanfaidh siad i bhfostaíocht na Comhairle, ina gcomhaltaí d'fhoireann aistrithe na Comhairle agus “foireann aistrithe na Comhairle” a ghairtear díobh san Acht seo.
(2) (a) Faoi réir fho-alt (4) den alt seo, ní bhfaighidh comhalta d'fhoireann aistrithe na Comhairle, le linn dó bheith i seirbhís na Comhairle, luach saothair is lú ná ní bheidh sé faoi réir coinníollacha seirbhíse is lú tairbhe ná an luach saothair a raibh teideal aige chuige agus na coinníollacha seirbhíse a raibh sé faoina réir sa tseirbhís ónar aistríodh é de bhua an ailt seo.
(b) Na coinníollacha seirbhíse, na sriantachtaí, na ceanglais agus na hoibleagáidí a raibh comhalta d'fhoireann aistrithe na Comhairle faoina réir díreach sular aistríodh é chun seirbhís na Comhairle, bainfidh siad i gcónaí leis mura n-athrófar iad trí chomhaontú, agus féadfaidh an Chomhairle nó an Stiúrthóir, de réir mar is iomchuí, iad a fheidhmiú nó a fhorchur le linn dó bheith i seirbhís na Comhairle.
(3) Ní bheidh comhalta d'fhoireanna aistrithe na Comhairle, le linn dó bheith i seirbhís na Comhairle, faoi réir coinníollacha is lú fabhar i ndáil le deonú aoisliúntas (cibé acu trí chnapshuim, pinsean nó aisce, nó cúiteamh i leith cailleadh oifige) ná na coinníollacha a bhain leis díreach sular aistríodh é de bhua an ailt seo chun seirbhís na Comhairle.
(4) (a) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle, tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh le haon chomhlachais foirne aitheanta nó ceardchumainn lena mbaineann, athdháileadh nó athchóiriú a dhéanamh ar na dualgais a bheidh le comhlíonadh ag comhaltaí d'fhoireann aistrithe na Comhairle a fhostaítear i ngrád nó in aicme fostaíochta áirithe agus beidh de cheangal ar gach comhalta den sórt sin na dualgais a chuirfear air in aon athdháileadh nó athchóiriú den sórt sin a chomhlíonadh.
(b) Ní mheasfar gur cur as oifig ná díothú oifige chun críche aon scéime nó achtacháin a bhaineann le haoisliúntas nó le cúiteamh i leith cailleadh oifige athdháileadh nó athchóiriú dá dtagraítear i mír (a) den fho-alt seo.
Aoisliúntas.
14.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis an tAcht seo a rith, déanfaidh an Chomhairle, faoi réir alt 13 (3) den Acht seo, scéim nó scéimeanna a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire chun pinsin, aiscí agus liúntais eile a dheonú do cibé fostaithe dá cuid nó i leith cibé fostaithe dá cuid (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) is cuí leis an gComhairle ar scor dóibh nó ar iad d'fháil bháis.
(2) Socróidh gach scéim den sórt sin an tráth scoir agus na coinníollacha scoir do na daoine uile a mbeidh pinsin, aiscí nó liúntais iníoctha leo nó ina leith faoin scéim, agus féadfar tráthanna éagsúla agus coinníollacha eagsúla a shocrú i leith aicmí éagsúla daoine.
(3) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle tráth ar bith scéim a ullmhú agus a chur faoi bhráid an Aire do leasú scéim a cuireadh faoi bhráid an Aire agus coinníollacha eágsúla agus a ceadaíodh roimhe sin faoin alt seo.
(4) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire faoin alt seo, má cheadaíonn an tAire í le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, a chur i gcrích de réir a téarmaí.
(5) Má bhíonn aon díospóid ann i dtaobh éileamh aon duine ar aon phinsean, aisce nó liúntas nó i dtaobh méid aon phinsin, aisce nó liúntais, is iníoctha de bhun scéim faoin alt seo, cuirfear an díospóid sin faoi bhráid an Aire lena cinneadh ach sin faoi réir chomhaontú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí.
(6) Ní dheonóidh an Chomhairle aon phinsean, aisce, liúntas ná íocaíocht eile do chomhalta dá foireann (lena n-áirítear an Stiúrthóir) ná ina leith ach amháin faoi réim agus de réir scéim faoin alt seo, ná ní dhéanfaidh an Chomhairle aon socrú gan ceadú ón Aire, arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, chun pinsean, aisce, liúntas nó íocaíocht eile a chur ar fáil seachas ag an gComhairle ar chomhalta dá foireann d'éirí as, do scor nó d'fháil bháis.
(7) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara go ndéanfar gach scéim a chuirfear faoi bhráid an Aire agus a cheadófar faoin alt seo a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas a luaithe is féidir tar éis a ceadaithe agus má dhéanann ceachtar Teach, laistigh den lá is fiche a shuífidh an Teach sin tar éis an scéim a leagan faoina bhráid, rún a rith ag neamhniú na scéime, beidh an scéim ar neamhní dá réir sin ach sin gan dochar do bhailíocht aon ní a rinneadh roimhe sin faoin scéim.
Tuarascáil agus eolas don Aire.
15.—(1) A luaithe is féidir tar éis deireadh gach bliana airgeadais dá cuid, ullmhóidh an Chomhairle, agus cuirfidh sí faoi bhráid an Aire, tuarascáil ar a himeachtaí i gcaitheamh na bliana sin, agus cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna den tuarascáil a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
(2) Tabharfaidh an Chomhairle don Aire cibé eolas a iarrfaidh sé ó am go ham maidir le comhlíonadh a feidhmeanna.
Deontais.
16.—Íocfaidh an tÚdarás leis an gComhairle gach bliain, de réir alt 12 (2) d'Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, as airgead a gheobhaidh sé faoi alt 12 (1) den Acht sin, deontas nó deontais ina mbeidh cibé méid is oiriúnach leis an Údarás.
Cuntais agus iniúchadh.
17.—(1) Coimeádfaidh an Chomhairle, i cibé foirm a bheidh ceadaithe ag an Aire, gach cuntas is cuí agus is gnách ar an airgead go léir a fuair sí nó ar na caiteachais a thabhaigh sí, agus, go háirithe, coimeádfaidh sí san fhoirm sin a dúradh cibé cuntais speisialta a ordóidh an tAire, nó a ordóidh an tAire ar iarratas ón Aire Airgeadais, ó am go ham.
(2) Déanfaidh an Chomhairle na cuntais a choimeádfar de bhun an ailt seo a chur faoi bhráid an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste gach bliain lena n-iniúchadh, ar dháta nach déanaí ná an tríochadú lá d'Aibreán an bhliain díreach tar éis na bliana lena mbaineann na cuntais agus, díreach tar éis an iniúchta, déanfaidh an Chomhairle cóip de na cuntais agus d'aon chuntas eile, más ann, a d'ordaigh an tAire a choimeád, mar aon le cóip de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste ar na Cuntais, a thíolacadh don Aire.
(3) Cuirfidh an tAire faoi deara cóipeanna de na cuntais a thíolaic an Chomhairle dó faoin alt seo, mar aon le cóipeanna de thuarascáil an Ard-Reachtaire Cuntas agus Ciste orthu, a leagan faoi bhráid gach Tí den Oireachtas.
Táillí.
18.—Féadfaidh an Chomhairle táillí a mhuirearú, a ghlacadh agus a ghnóthú i leith aon cheadú a thabharfaidh sí i ndáil le scrúdú nó tástáil eile eolais nó ábaltachta nó i ndáil le haon cheadú a thabharfaidh sí, nó aon mheasúnacht a dhéanfaidh sí, maidir le cúrsa staidéir nó teagaisc.
Bronntanais.
19.—(1) Féadfaidh an Chomhairle bronntanais airgid, talún nó maoine eile a ghlacadh ar cibé iontaobhais agus coinníollacha, más ann, a shonróidh an deontóir.
(2) Ní ghlacfaidh an Chomhairle bronntanas má bhíonn na hiontaobhais nó na coinníollacha a bheidh curtha ag gabháil leis ag an deontóir ar neamhréir le feidhmeanna na Comhairle.
Cumhacht an tAcht a fheidhmiú maidir le coláistí áirithe, etc.
20.—(1) Féadfaidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, agus tar éis comhairle a ghlacadh leis an gComhairle agus le cibé Aire eile den Rialtas (más ann) a measfaidh an tAire baint a bheith aige leis, aon choláiste, scoil nó foras eile oideachais seachas ollscoil a ainmniú le hordú mar fhoras lena mbaineann an tAcht seo.
(2) Féadfaidh an tAire ordú faoin alt seo (lena n-áirítear ordú faoin bhfo-alt seo) a chúlghairm nó a leasú.
Caiteachais.
21.—Déanfar na caiteachais a thabhóidh an tAire ag riaradh an Achta seo a íoc, a mhéid a cheadóidh an tAire Airgeadais, as airgead a sholáthróidh an tOireachtas.
Gearrtheideal agus tosach feidhme.
22.—(1) Féadfar an tAcht um Chomhairle Náisiúnta na gCáilíochtaí Oideachais, 1979, a ghairm den Acht seo.
(2) Tiocfaidh an tAcht seo i ngníomh cibé lá a cheapfaidh an tAire le hordú.
AN CHÉAD SCEIDEAL
An Chomhairle
1. Beidh vóta ag cathaoirleach na Comhairle, ag an Stiúrthóir agus ag gach comhalta eile den Chomhairle a bheidh i láthair ag cruinniú den Chomhairle.
2. (1) Tionólfaidh an Chomhairle cibé líon cruinnithe is gá chun a feidhmeanna a chomhlíonadh.
(2) Socróidh an tAire dáta, am agus ionad chéad chruinniú na Comhairle.
3. Ochtar comhalta is córam do chruinniú den Chomhairle.
4. Ag cruinniú den Chomhairle—
(a) is é cathaoirleach na Comhairle, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(b) má bhíonn agus fad a bheidh cathaoirleach na Comhairle as láthair, nó oifig an chathaoirligh folamh, is é an leaschathaoirleach, má bhíonn sé i láthair, a bheidh ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú,
(c) má bhíonn agus fad a bheidh cathaoirleach na Comhairle as láthair nó oifig an chathaoirligh folamh agus go mbeidh leas-chathaoirleach na Comhairle as láthair nó oifig an leas-chathaoirligh folamh, roghnóidh na comhaltaí den Chomhairle a bheidh i láthair duine dá líon chun bheith ina chathaoirleach ar an gcruinniú.
5. Déanfar gach ceist ag cruinniú den Chomhairle a mbeidh easaontas ina taobh i measc na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair a chinneadh le tromlach vótaí na gcomhaltaí a bheidh i láthair agus a vótálfaidh ar an gceist agus, i gcás na vótaí a bheith roinnte go cothrom, beidh an dara vóta nó vóta réitigh ag cathaoirleach an chruinnithe.
6. Faoi réir Airteagal 3 den Sceideal seo, féadfaidh an Chomhairle gníomhú d'ainneoin folúntas nó folúntais i measc a comhaltaí.
7. Féadfaidh an Chomhairle cibé feidhmeanna dá cuid is cuí léi a chomhlíonadh tríd an Stiúrthóir.
8. Faoi réir forálacha an Achta seo rialálfaidh an Chomhairle, le buan-orduithe nó ar shlí eile, a nós imeachta agus a gnó.
9. (1) Soláthroidh an Chomhairle séala di féin a luaithe is féidir tar éis a bunaithe.
(2) Fíordheimhneofar séala na Comhairle le síniú chathaoirleach na Comhairle nó chomhalta den Chomhairle a bheidh údaraithe ag an gComhairle gníomhú chuige sin agus le síniú oifigeach a bheidh údaraithe ag an gComhairle gníomhú chuige sin.
(3) Tabharfar aird bhreithiúnach ar shéala na Comhairle agus glacfar i bhfianaise gach doiciméad a airbheartóidh gur ionstraim é a rinne an Chomhairle agus a bheith séalaithe le séala (a airbheartóidh a bheith fíordheimhnithe de réir an Sceidil seo) na Comhairle agus measfar gurb é an ionstraim sin é gan a thuilleadh cruthúnais mura suífear a mhalairt.
AN DARA SCEIDEAL
Boird Staidéar
1. Is iad a bheidh ar bhord staidéar an Stiúrthóir agus cibé líon de na comhaltaí eile is cuí leis an gComhairle agus féadfaidh sé, de rogha na Comhairle, gurb iad a bheidh air, ar leith ón Stiúrthóir, go páirteach daoine is comhaltaí den Chomhairle agus go páirteach daoine eile, nó daoine eile go heisiatach nach comhaltaí den Chomhairle.
2. Féadfaidh an Chomhairle duine a cheapadh le bheith ina chathaoirleach ar bhord staidéar.
3. Maidir le ceapadh duine ag an gComhairle chun bheith ina chomhalta de bhord staidéar beidh sin faoi réir cibé coinníollacha (lena n-áirítear coinníollacha maidir le téarmaí agus seilbh oifige an chomhalta) is cuí leis an gComhairle, le toiliú an Aire arna thabhairt le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, a fhorchur le linn di an ceapadh a dhéanamh.
4. Féadfar cibé caiteachais taistil agus cothabhála a chinnfidh an tAire, le comhthoiliú Aire na Seirbhíse Poiblí, a íoc as airgead a bheidh faoina réir ag an gComhairle le comhaltaí de bhord staidéir.
5. Féadfaidh an Chomhairle tráth ar bith bord staidéar a dhíscaoileadh nó comhalta de bhord staidéar (seachas an Stiúrthóir) a chur ó bheith ina chomhalta den bhord.
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