Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Language is just one of the areas in which we are weak. We are so weak on that in Ireland. Last year, when a company - I think it was Hewlett-Packard - said it was taking on a number of people and stated that they would need a modern language other than English, one of the reporters at the time said that meant no Irish need apply, because we are so bad at modern languages. One of the things we are attempting to do in Springboard is to encourage the use of modern languages on that basis. One of the pieces missing in the jigsaw of matching people to employers is the correct data. That is, when students graduate in this country, we do not systematically collect, analyse and distribute information on what they end up doing, be it employment or further education.We have to do more on that so when they graduate, we can find out how they got on and how we can improve things. The technical term for this is collecting the employment outcomes of students. If we did so, we would be able to better match students with the needs of employers. That is crucial data and many EU countries recognise this fact. For instance, Italy and the Netherlands already collect that data. This information is critical for policy-makers and higher institutions because it helps them to detect which courses and fields of study are in high demand among employers.

There is another area on which we can move. Students of the ICT skills conversion course have to wait nine months before they qualify. Something can be done about that. I am not quite sure what the technical reason for doing that is, but I would like the Minister of State to consider the matter and determine whether we can achieve something on that basis. It is a shame that somebody who wants to do a course finds that he or she is not able to do so for nine months. I am sure there is a simple answer and the problem can be solved.

I welcome the motion. It is great to draw attention to Springboard. It is a major success and can be a bigger success in the years ahead, which will happen with the enthusiasm of the Government, the Minister of State and the very bright team of people in the HEA which has put its heart and soul, effort and enthusiasm into the programme. Long may it continue.