The number of board members at the state training agency FÁS is to be reduced from 17 to 11, under new legislation published today.
The Labour Services Amendment Bill 2009 also removes the role of the social partner organisations, and FÁS employees, in appointing directors to the board.
Under the terms of the new legislation, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment will take over the making of appointments to the FÁS board, with some input from the Ministers for Education and Social and Family Affairs.
But the number of appointees will go from 17 to 11.
The new law also seeks to protect FÁS employees who report suspected wrongdoing to Gardaí, or to a member of the new streamlined board.
The office of the Tánaiste told RTE News this morning that the move is designed to improve corporate governance at the state agency, and get it back to its core function of training and upskilling the workforce.
The Dáil is due to debate a Labour Party private members motion later today, on political oversight at the training agency, and the retirement package given to the former Director General Rody Molloy.
Meanwhile, an assistant manager at the State training agency, FÁS, has appeared in court charged with deception involving over €600,000.
James Brooke Tyrell, 53, of 8 Church Gate, Church Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow, faces a total of 47 charges under the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act.
Its alleged the accused devised a false tendering process at the State training agency while he was an assistant manager of video production.
It is alleged that between 2002 and 2008, cheques totalling over €600,000 were paid to bank accounts controlled by him which were were in the names of two media companies.
Dublin District Ccourt was told he met gardaí by arrangement this morning and when when charged with 47 counts of deception he replied: 'I've nothing to say.'
The State applied for a six-week adjournment to prepare the Book of Evidence and the court was told there could be further charges.
The 53-year-old has surrendered his passport. He was granted legal aid and was remanded on bail until November 17.
