Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Deputies are aware of the terms of reference and that the report considers the next 20 years of education into the 21st century. We must deal with many issues and challenges, including growth in participation, expansion of research and development, increasing importance of knowledge as the basis for enterprise development and economic growth, and how we want to support civic and social cohesion, personal growth and cultural development. The strategy will provide a clearly defined framework as to how that can be achieved, how we can agree national priorities and how performance expectations can be articulated and delivered on by autonomous higher education institutions as part of a high performing system.

I accept the report is much anticipated. I would hope to have it at the beginning of the year.

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