Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senators for the contributions they made during this evening's constructive debate on the implementation of the national skills strategy. I welcome the support of all Senators for the validity of the strategy, as a national policy, and the importance of its aims and objectives. I thank Senator Buttimer, who raised a number of issues, for his general support for the strategy. I accept that the targets set out in the document are ambitious and that it will be challenging to achieve them.

A number of Senators, including Senator Buttimer, mentioned the question of literacy, which is extremely important in the context of this discussion. The acquisition of adequate literacy skills is necessary if participants are to derive any benefit from the education and training courses in which they engage. Adult literacy involves not only reading and writing, but also numeracy, social and personal development, learning to learn and information technology skills. The Department of Education and Science attaches great importance to improving literacy levels. It has increased its funding for adult literacy from €1 million in 1997 to more than €30 million this year. As a consequence, the number of adult learners catered for annually increased from 5,000 in 1997 to almost 44,000 in 2007.

Some speakers mentioned the role of the National Framework of Qualifications. It is important to note that the establishment of the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the subsequent development of the National Framework of Qualifications, in 2003, revolutionised how we compare various educational qualifications and levels of learning outcome. These developments have brought a welcome degree of transparency to learners of all ages and stages. They emphasise the potential for further broadening and growth of routes of entry to continuing, further and higher education.

A number of Members, including Senator Ormonde, spoke about the importance of community education. As Minister of State with responsibility for lifelong learning, I fully accept, acknowledge and support the role of community education in the overall context. The budgets which have been made available in this regard have increased substantially in recent years. The vocational education committees are doing a great deal of work on the ground to promote community education.

Senator Ó Domhnaill correctly highlighted the importance of the national skills strategy and pointed out that a substantial amount of money — €7.7 billion — has been earmarked for training under the national development plan. It is extremely important, in the context of our overall economic development, that such funding is provided and the necessary training is made available.

I thank Senator Ryan for his constructive suggestions, many of which are being considered by various organisations. The expert group on future skills needs is examining a number of issues on foot of the publication of its initial strategy. It is involved in ongoing work in that respect. Many of the subjects the Senator mentioned are being studied and reports on them are expected in the coming months.

I assure Senator Boyle, who expressed concerns about the construction industry, that FÁS and the expert group on future skills needs are examining the upskilling needs of construction workers. The Government is conscious of the fact that many workers will need upskilling as the construction sector slows down. Reports and recommendations to tackle this urgent issue are being prepared by FÁS and the expert group. I look forward to receiving those reports.

The establishment of an interdepartmental committee comprising representatives of the Departments of Education and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment was formally announced in the Dáil on 22 February last. Some discussions have taken place since then at Civil Service level to prepare for the first formal and official meeting of the committee, which I will chair tomorrow. I am not sure about the other meetings to which Senator Ryan referred. I can state categorically that the interdepartmental committee will have its first formal meeting tomorrow. Its agenda will be set out during the discussions which will take place at that meeting. The committee was established on foot of an essential recommendation made by the expert group on future skills needs. It is now up and running, in effect. I hope an implementation plan can be agreed before the end of the year, at the latest.

Senators have suggested that financial problems are making it difficult for people to engage in adult education. The Government's back to education initiative is an important part of this country's adult education system. It is being availed of free of charge, on a part-time basis, by many people who do not have upper second level education. Some 9,500 places are offered as part of the initiative, which was announced last year to make it easier for people to undertake adult education. There is lots happening.

I thank Senators for their support. I think everybody is agreed on the strategy. It is now a question of implementing it in the most effective way, as soon as possible.