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Objects and functions.
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41.—(1) The object of the Council shall be to advise the Minister on matters relating to—
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(a) the curriculum for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools, and
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(b) the assessment procedures employed in schools and examinations on subjects which are part of the curriculum.
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(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), it shall be a function of the Council:
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(a) from time to time to review the curriculum, or any part of the curriculum, for schools and the syllabuses taught and to advise the Minister;
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(b) to advise the Minister on appropriate methods for the assessment of the effectiveness of the education provided in schools, with particular regard to mechanisms whereby students who have problems achieving their potential may be identified as early as practicable and assisted;
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(c) to advise the Minister on strategies which will assist students to make a successful transition from primary school to post-primary school;
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(d) from time to time to advise the Minister on the standards of knowledge and skills which students at various age-levels should attain and on the mechanisms for assessing the achievement of such standards, having regard to national and international standards and good practice in relation to such assessment;
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(e) from time to time to review the inservice training needs of teachers, including needs arising from the introduction of new curricula, subjects or syllabuses in schools, and to advise the Minister in relation to those needs;
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(f) to advise the Minister on the requirements, as regards curriculum and syllabuses, of students with a disability or other special educational needs;
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(g) to advise the Minister on strategies which have as their objective the enhancement of the effectiveness in the teaching and use of the Irish language in schools;
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(h) to maintain, manage, administer and invest all the money and assets of the Council;
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(i) to promote research and development in education and to conduct or commission such research and development where appropriate to its objects and functions;
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(j) to promote equality of access to education generally and to instruction in any particular subjects between male and female students;
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(k) to accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donors, provided that nothing in any trust or condition is contrary to this Act, and
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(l) to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects of the Council, including such functions in relation to review and reform of the curriculum in schools and the assessment of the outcomes of the education provided in schools as the Minister shall from time to time direct.
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(3) In carrying out its functions the Council shall—
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(a) have regard to the implications of its advice for the resources, including financial resources, available and shall quantify, as far as practicable, the resources necessary to give effect to any of its proposals,
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(b) have regard to the desirability of achieving equality of access to, participation in and benefit from education,
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(c) act in accordance with such directions as may from time to time be given to the Council by the Minister, including directions as to the priority to be accorded to the exercise by it of its different functions, and
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(d) have regard to the practicalities of implementation of any advice which it proposes to give to the Minister.
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