Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which it is expected to match the skill requirement of industry with the skills and qualifications of those exiting education in the current year based on previous years’ experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9686/14]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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The Enterprise Engagement Forum, which is chaired by the Secretary General of my Department, provides for bi-annual dialogue between the Department and enterprise on education policy issues. Input from enterprise is also provided for through representation on boards and agencies across the education and training sector. The development and delivery of targeted skills initiatives such as the ICT Skills Action Plan, Springboard and Momentum involve close interaction with enterprise. These initiatives have been very successful. For example, implementation of the ICT Action Plan 2012 aimed to double the number of graduates in relevant disciplines by 2018. The Higher Education system is now set to meet that target by 2015. In addition, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, which is funded by my Department, plays a pivotal role in advising on the skills needs of enterprise and its research and reports inform programme development by education and training providers.

Meeting the requirements of industry is a high priority for the education system and a wide ranging programme of reform is currently being rolled out across all levels of the system to ensure the continued development of skills appropriate to enterprise. One of the core objectives under the new Performance Framework for the higher education system is meeting Ireland's human capital needs across the spectrum of skills areas through both core funding and specifically targeted initiatives. I am expecting the first annual System Performance Report from the Higher Education Authority in coming months which will set out the level of performance of the system in relation to meeting skills needs.