Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 112: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a comprehensive graduate internship programme as advocated by the Union of Students in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38183/10]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Both my colleague, Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and I have recently met with the Union of Students in Ireland and discussed a number of issues including their proposal for a Graduate Internship Programme.

The Union of Students in Ireland's proposal is very similar in some aspects to the Work Placement Programme, which was introduced by the Government in 2009. The WPP is operated by the Department of Education and Skills, through FÁS and provides up to 9 months work experience to unemployed individuals, including graduates. The WPP is open to all sectors of the economy, including the private and public sectors, as well as the community and voluntary sectors.

Participants on the programme may retain their existing social welfare entitlements for the duration of their placements, subject to the rules of the Department of Social Protection. Although, should a provider decide to provide a financial incentive to a participant, this could have implications for that individual's social welfare entitlements and it may be an issue for the Department of Social Protection.

A provider of a placement under the WPP can avail of the PRSI Exemption Scheme if they employ a person who has completed 3 months on the WPP. This will give employers an 8%-10% saving on employment costs for each new job created.

At the start of October 2010, 2,022 individuals had commenced their placements under the WPP. Of these 996 individuals have commenced on the graduate stream and 1,026 individuals have commenced on the non-graduate stream.

The Government through the Cabinet Committee on Economic Renewal are currently considering proposals to assist the unemployed, including graduates in advance of Budget 2011. The proposal from the Unions of Students in Ireland for a Graduate Internship Programme will be considered in that context.

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 113: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her plans to introduce a national third level skills initiative as proposed by the Union of Students in Ireland to cover essential skills for graduates to improve their employment prospects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38184/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A high quality higher education system that is well regarded and trusted both nationally and internationally is essential for Ireland's economic and social wellbeing and it is important that graduates emerge from the system with the appropriate breadth and depth of knowledge and range of skills that will allow them to flourish in the workplace. There are a range of specific courses and modules in entrepreneurship available across the higher education sector and institutions also offer courses and short programmes that support potential entrepreneurs in bringing business ideas through to successful trading. In addition, the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), has provided significant support to promote teaching and learning of entrepreneurial culture in higher education institutions as well as a range of projects to support greater engagement by institutions with enterprise and to be more responsive to their needs for example by encouraging work-based learning as well as the incorporation of generic competencies into the undergraduate curriculum and in the development of guidelines for work placements in undergraduate programmes.

As the Deputy may be aware, a new national strategy for higher education has been under development by a high level group chaired by Dr Colin Hunt. In developing its report the Group engaged in a wide process of consultation, which included discussion forums with both students and representatives of the enterprise sector. Issues around the quality of teaching and learning and graduate skills as well as the responsiveness of the higher education sector to broader economic and social needs featured significantly as part of this process. The Group has now completed its work and I will be consulting with my Government colleagues in relation to the Group's report in the coming weeks.