Alan Farrell (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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232. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the recent report carried out by employers groups that shows a concern of writing ability of Irish graduates; if he will be acting on this report to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2423/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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As part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education, IBEC, in cooperation with the Higher Education Authority and higher education institutions, completed the first pilot national survey of employers in December 2012. The overall results of the survey, which are available on the HEA website (www.hea.ie), were very positive, with over 75% of companies expressing confidence that graduates have the right workplace and transferable skills and relevant subject or discipline knowledge. While satisfaction levels with written communications was lower than in other specific skill areas, only 14% of employers reported being dissatisfied with these skills. The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 includes ease in written communication as one of the key generic skills that students should acquire during their undergraduate education. Support of the implementation of the Strategy recommendations in relation to improving this and other teaching and learning quality outcomes will be a key priority of the new National Forum for Teaching and Learning which I launched last November.