Dr. Kara McGann:

Senator Hildegarde Naughton asked about the OECD's comment on the inevitable tendency for vocational programmes to develop their own dynamics. This comment referred to all international systems, not Ireland specifically. There is a need for more engagement, not just at national level but also at local level across employers, the ETBs, Intreo and higher education, around one table with a view to tapping into local market intelligence on where the skills needs and gaps are now and in the future. One issue that arose regarding strategy was the lack of quantitative data for outputs from the sector. We have heard about the learner database which we hope will happen quickly because while it is a very diverse sector and programme driven, there are not enough data for what is coming from the sector. Such a database would be very valuable.