Written answers

Thursday, 22 September 2011

Department of Education and Skills

Education Sector

4:00 pm

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 27: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has examined and identified the quality, scale and skills requirement at all levels in the education sector in the future; if discussions have taken place with industry and academia with a view to identifying how best to meet any such requirements emerging; his proposals to meet such requirements in the short, medium to long term with particular reference to the recognition of the major role to be played by education towards economic recovery and future development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25252/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 122: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has consulted with business sectors with a view to ensuring the availability of an ongoing supply of graduates with appropriate skills with particular reference to targeting the areas most likely to be affected by competition from other jurisdictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25600/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he has had discussions with primary, second level and third level authorities with the object of ensuring that the current educational focus is sufficiently progressive to provide for the requirements of industry and commercial sectors in both manufacturing and services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25601/11]

Photo of Ruairi QuinnRuairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 122 and 123 together.

The education and training system has a central role to play in the development of workforce and entrepreneurship skills and through the provision of the research and innovation system which will foster economic growth, enterprise development and the creation of future employment opportunities.

The enterprise sector is represented on the statutory agencies responsible for curriculum reform and assessment, quality assurance and policy advice across the education system and on the boards of VECs, Institutes of Technology and FAS. Direct advice and input from industry also informs the development of education policy on an ongoing basis. Examples include the NCCA consultation processes on curriculum reform and assessment, and the process to develop the new national strategy on higher education.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) also plays a key role in advising on the future skills needs of enterprise. Its reports are disseminated directly to education and training providers and provide a valuable input to the development and amendment of course curricula. EGFSN research and engagement between higher education providers and industry informed the development and selection of part-time higher education programmes for unemployed people being funded through the Springboard programme launched as part of the Governments Jobs Initiative. My Department and the Higher Education Authority, in collaboration with the Secretariat to the EGFSN are also working closely with representatives of the ICT industry to develop further responses to specific skills needs that have been identified by that sector.

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