Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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Question 70: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide an update on the implementation of the ICT action plan launched by him earlier this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20663/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The ICT Action Plan outlines a range of short and medium term measures to develop a sustainable domestic supply of high quality ICT graduates to support the further expansion and development of the ICT sector and support innovation and growth across other sectors of the economy.

Since I published the Plan in January over 760 places have been made available on 17 new ICT conversion programmes in public, private and not for profit higher education institutions across the country. The programmes are highly intensive leading to an honours degree level award in computer science and include a work placement period with an industry partner of approx 3 months. Access is free of charge to participants and there has been strong demand from high quality applicants for places on the programmes. Further details are available at www.bluebrick.ie. Over 400 unemployed people are expected to complete Springboard programmes leading to awards at honours degree or masters level in ICT disciplines before the Summer and a new range of Springboard programmes for 2012 will also be launched in the coming weeks. The new high level ICT Foresight Group has been established with membership from the education and enterprise sector and other actions in the Plan are being progressed in line with the timeframes in the Plan.