10.— (1) The general functions of an education and training board shall be to—

(a) establish and maintain recognised schools, centres for education and education or training facilities in its functional area,

(b) when directed to do so by the Minister under section 20—

(i) establish and maintain recognised schools in its functional area,

(ii) establish and maintain centres for education in its functional area,

(iii) maintain centres for education or recognised schools in its functional area, and

(iv) establish, maintain or resource education or training facilities in its functional area,

(c) plan, provide, coordinate and review the provision of education and training, including education and training for the purpose of employment, and services ancillary thereto in its functional area in—

(i) recognised schools or centres for education maintained by it,

(ii) education or training facilities maintained or resourced by it,

(iii) children detention schools,

(iv) prisons, and

(v) facilities maintained by other public service bodies,

(d) enter into arrangements with, and provide support services to, education or training providers, in accordance with section 22,

(e) establish scholarships in accordance with section 24,

(f) adopt a strategy statement in accordance with section 27,

(g) adopt an annual service plan in accordance with section 47,

(h) cooperate with any body nominated to carry out the internal audit functions under section 52,

(i) provide education and training at the request of, and on behalf of, any body which funds training out of money provided to that body by the Oireachtas,

(j) support the provision, coordination, administration and assessment of youth work services in its functional area and provide such information as may be requested by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to such support, and

(k) assess whether the manner in which it performs its functions is economical, efficient and effective.

(2) An education and training board shall, in the performance of its functions where it considers appropriate, consult with—

(a) boards of management of recognised schools maintained by it,

(b) persons performing functions which are the same as, or substantially the same as, functions exercised by boards of management referred to in paragraph (a), in relation to—

(i) centres for education maintained by it,

(ii) education or training facilities maintained or resourced by it, or

(iii) children detention schools, prisons, education or training facilities or facilities maintained by other public service bodies where the board provides education or training,

(c) students of recognised schools or centres for education maintained by it,

(d) learners in children detention schools, prisons, education or training facilities or in facilities maintained by other public service bodies where the board provides education or training,

(e) parents of students referred to in paragraph (c) and parents of learners referred to in paragraph (d) where the students or learners have not attained the age of 18 years,

(f) members of its staff,

(g) bodies representative of business, industry and employers,

(h) persons who have a particular interest in, or knowledge of, education and training provided in recognised schools or centres for education maintained by it, or education or training facilities maintained or resourced by it, and

(i) any other person it considers is likely to be affected by the performance of its functions.

(3) An education and training board shall have all powers necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions.

(4) An education and training board shall have regard to Government policy to the extent that it may affect or relate to the functions of the board and shall comply with any policy direction that may from time to time be notified to the board by the Minister.

(5) The Minister may request Education and Training Boards Ireland to—

(a) make representations on behalf of an education and training board in respect of its functions,

(b) conduct surveys in respect of information sought by the Minister in respect of the performance of functions by education and training boards, and

(c) give such assistance to an education and training board as the Minister considers necessary for the effective discharge of its functions.

(6) In this section “youth work” has the same meaning as it has in the Youth Work Act 2001.