Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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193. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is undertaking to promote the practice known as behavioural economics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28575/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is aware of the growing prominence of behavioural economics within the study of economics.  The new specification for Leaving Cert Economics, which is in the final stages of preparation for consultation by the NCCA, has a much stronger orientation towards behavioural factors that impact on personal and policy-related decision making in individuals, business institutions and the broader economy, than the current specification. The public consultation process will seek a wide range of views on this element of the new specification.

In addition, a new specification in Junior Cycle Business Studies commenced in 2016. It supports critical thinking skills and a statement of learning which requires that a student ‘makes informed financial decisions and develops good consumer skills’.

At third level, a number of institutions have introduced modules on behavioural economics in recent years and there are research and postgraduate programmes in development.  In addition, UCD appointed a chair in Behavioural Economics in 2016.  However, as the Deputy will be aware, Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous bodies under the Universities Act 1997 and the Institutes of Technology Acts and, as such, have responsibility for their own academic affairs.

As the Deputy may be aware, the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform, in its remit as the lead Department for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES), is taking the policy lead in bringing a more coherent, planned and informed approach to the application of Behavioural Economics in the Irish public service. The Department of Education and Skills, as a member of IGEES, contributes to the roll out and development of the work of the IGEES.