Written answers

Wednesday, 16 November 2016

Department of Education and Skills

Education Policy

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide a report on the consultation process he has established on a new three-year strategy for education of skills, Strategy for Education and Skills 2016-2018; when he expects the consultation process to finish and the final report to be published; the key priority areas of the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34872/16]

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Government committed to producing a three year strategy for my Department in the first 100 days and a framework for measuring its progress in consultation with stakeholders. Accordingly, in May 2016, a stakeholder consultation was launched, the purpose of which was to gather views to inform the development of the new Action Plan and Statement of Strategy for Education.

Over 600 submissions were received from a range of stakeholders and the general public. A number of submissions are currently available on the Department’s website including stakeholder and Irish language submissions. Further returns will continue to be published in due course.

In September, I launched the first ever Action Plan for Education, covering the period 2016- 2019. The central vision of the Plan is that the Irish Education and Training System should become the best in Europe over the next decade. This will be achieved through focusing on five high level goals:

1. Improve the learning experience and the success of learners

2. Improve the progress of learners at risk of educational disadvantage or learners with special educational needs

3. Help those delivering education services to continuously improve

4. Build stronger bridges between education and wider community

5. Improve national planning and support services.

The high level goals will serve as the basis for my Department’s high level work programme for the next three years, the aim of which is to provide an education and training system that equips learners with the knowledge and skills that they need to achieve their potential and to participate fully in society and the economy through the delivery of high quality education and training experiences, which will make the best use of resources. It will work towards improving accountability for educational outcomes across the system.

In order to ensure that progress is made in all five of these areas, updated annual Action Plans will be published each year, covering the actions that will be implemented during the subsequent 12 months. Furthermore, my Department will publish progress reports each quarter that will evolve and improve from the experience of implementation.

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