John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the specific proposals in the programme for Government for which he is responsible; the target dates he has agreed for the delivery of these proposals; and if he will publish an implementation schedule. [9582/11]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Programme for Government agreed between the Labour Party and Fine Gael is a plan that draws on the best of both parties, united in their commitment to bring fresh ideas, new energy and renewed hope to the leadership of our country. It is the pledge of a national government, united in the national interest.

The document contains a comprehensive set of policy goals, which are to be implemented over the lifetime of this government. In the area of education these include specific commitments in relation to raising educational standards, making literacy a national cause, reforming the patronage system, the school building programme, and reform of the third level sector. The Programme for Government also outlines the Government's intent to deliver equity in education, prioritise lifelong learning and encourage the development of the international education sector here. The Government's main ambition in education is to build a knowledge society and to improve educational outcomes for all students and learners even at a time of national crisis.

I intend to prioritise a number of these issues in the short to medium term. I have already launched the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector and will be prioritising the finalisation of the draft literacy and numeracy plan over the coming months. I am also looking forward to receiving the outcomes of the NCCA's national consultation on reform of the junior cycle in the near future.

I am committed to progressing all aspects of the Programme for Government over the next five years and will be discussing the remaining commitments with my officials over the coming months with a view to further prioritisation within the resources available to me over that period.