Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the interdepartmental committee charged with approving an implementation plan for the National Skills Strategy and with overseeing its implementation has been established; the members of this committee; the number of times it has met to date; her plans to publish an implementation plan for the National Skills Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40075/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Since its establishment I have been the chair of the Inter-Departmental Committee for the implementation of the National Skills Strategy. The other members of the Committee are as follows:

Mr Sean Gorman — Secretary General, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ms Brigid McManus — Secretary General, Department of Education and Science

Mr Paddy McDonagh — Department of Education and Science

Mr Kevin McCarthy — Department of Education and Science

Mr Dermot Mulligan — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

Ms Ann Nolan — Department of Finance

Mr Pat Hayden — Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment also provides the Secretariat for the Committee.

The Committee has met on two occasions to date and its next meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th November. The Inter-Departmental Committee is due to publish an implementation plan next year and will oversee subsequent progress towards realising the objectives contained in the National Skills Strategy.

Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the expert group on future skills needs will publish an annual report on the implementation of the National Skills Strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40076/08]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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An Implementation Plan for the National Skills Strategy is currently being developed by an Inter-Departmental Committee which I chair and comprises of the Secretaries General and other senior officials of my Department and the Department of Education and Science. The Department of Finance is also represented at senior official level. The plan, which is due for completion next year, will present the methods through which the objectives contained in the National Skills Strategy, insofar as they relate to optimal levels of educational attainment, will be pursued. The Committee is also responsible for overseeing the subsequent activation of this implementation plan.

It is intended that the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs will publish an annual report outlining progress towards the implementation of the National Skills Strategy one year after the Inter-Departmental Committee has completed the implementation plan. This progress report will then be submitted to the Inter-Departmental Committee for its consideration.