7.— (1) The general functions of An tSeirbhís shall be to—

(a) prepare and submit to the Minister a strategy in respect of the provision of further education and training in accordance with section 9,

(b) promote an appreciation of the value of further education and training,

(c) consult with the Minister for Social Protection, the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and employers from time to time for the purpose of determining which, or which classes of, further education and training programmes should be the subject of advances by An tSeirbhís in accordance with section 21,

(d) advance moneys to education and training boards and other bodies engaged in the provision of further education and training programmes as determined in accordance with paragraph (c),

(e) provide, or arrange for, the provision of training and retraining for employment and to assist in and coordinate the provision of such training by persons other than An tSeirbhís,

(f) assess whether or not education and training boards, and other bodies engaged in the provision of further education and training programmes, to whom moneys have been advanced under section 21 perform their functions in an economic, efficient and effective manner,

(g) promote, encourage and facilitate the placement of persons belonging to such class or classes of person as may be specified by the Minister for Social Protection after consultation with the Minister in further education and training programmes that are funded, in whole or in part, out of public moneys,

(h) promote cooperation between education and training boards and other bodies involved in the provision of further education programmes,

(i) promote equality of opportunity in relation to the provision of further education and training,

(j) develop, and facilitate the development of, new and existing further education and training programmes including the establishment of systems designed to monitor the quality of the education and training concerned for the purpose of ensuring that those programmes serve their purpose,

(k) provide or assist in the provision of training to persons charged with the delivery of further education and training programmes in respect of which moneys have been advanced by An tSeirbhís under section 21,

(l) conduct, or arrange for the conduct of, research as respects any matters relating to the functions of An tSeirbhís, and

(m) advise the Minister in relation to any matter connected with the functions of An tSeirbhís.

(2) An tSeirbhís shall, upon a request from the Minister, provide the Minister with information, in such form and manner as the Minister may specify, as respects persons placed in further education and training programmes to which paragraph (g) of subsection (1) applies.

(3) An tSeirbhís may, for the purpose of defraying any expense incurred by it in the provision of any service, charge a fee to the recipient of the service provided that any such fee shall not exceed the cost to An tSeirbhís of providing the service.

(4) An tSeirbhís may, for the purposes of any further education and training that it is, for the time being, providing in the State to persons who are ordinarily resident in the State provide, or arrange for the provision of, a service to those persons outside the State.

(5) An tSeirbhís shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions.