Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the decision of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Batt O'Keeffe, to review the possibility of grade inflation in universities. It concerns me because I noted the points raised by Senator O'Toole. There are fine graduates leaving universities but they lack social skills and the work experience ethic. They do not know how to mix. They have regurgitated facts and figures, and because they were bright they were able to put them down on paper which built up a points system. Another element that is missing in our education system at second and third level is work experience. It should be brought into any course in order that students will integrate into society long before they get their degrees.

As we are having a debate on the subject, I ask for the roles of the State Examination Commission, the Irish Universities Quality Board and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council to be examined. All the organisations to which I refer have a large part to play regarding course content and they decide what constitutes first or second class honours. Today, masters degrees are two a penny, but ten years ago they were not. Something is not right and we need to ask why that is happening. Employers have asked why, if people have first and second class degrees, they are not fitting into employment. There is a problem. I welcome the Minister's decision to ask for a review but it would be worth our while to have a debate in this Chamber on many other issues regarding introducing a work experience element to any course.