asked the Minister for Labour the proposals, if any, he has for the more effective co-ordination of education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Education and Training Co-ordination.
17.
I recognise the importance of close co-operation between education and training and along with the Minister for Education am fully committed to strengthening the links between labour and education. I will be working closely with my colleague, the Minister for Education in this regard.
The objective of the more effective co-ordination of education and training will be a priority in the policy guidelines to the National Employment and Training Authority when it is established. The guidelines will be formulated following discussions with the Minister for Education and other Ministers.
Will the Minister say if the high level liaison committee between the Department of Labour and labour interests, and the Department of Education and education interests, remains in existence and, if it does, who is now chairing it?
I am aware that the Deputy, when Minister of State, established what I consider was an extremely useful co-ordinating committee to deal with areas that overlapped, particularly in regard to education, training and manpower services. The White Paper provided that a Minister of State would be in charge but that is not now so. As a Minister of State is required to chair that committee it is necessary to examine the position, and a report on co-operation and co-ordination between the education and training authorities in the provision of vocational and preparation training is currently being drawn up to decide how this will be handled from now on.
Does the Minister accept that there are widespread resources, physical resources and resources in terms of expertise and manpower within the education area, that are not being availed of to the extent they should be by those in Manpower? Will the Minister accept that greater use of those resources would achieve a more cost-effective service? What proposals has the Minister to ensure that the labour world make full use of everything that is available?
I agree with the Deputy that there is a huge amount of information within education that should be, and in some instances is, passed on to the training agencies. The proposals in regard to training and education which the Deputy was involved in will continue to be examined with a view to co-operation and co-ordination. As the Deputy has outlined, clearly there is a waste of resources from the education system and when somebody leaves that system in transition to work, be it to Manpower services or some alternative training scheme. There is a report from which we can see how that work will be followed on, although there is not now the same Minister of State who was there for the early proposals.
Will the Minister give a directive to all of the agencies under his influence that, when embarking on a project, they should ascertain whether there are resources within the education world that would be of benefit to them and direct them to avail of those resources as a first option before looking elsewhere?
That is a fair point and I will examine it. I referred in my first reply to the policy guidelines and the national employment training authority. This matter can be discussed again. When the organisations are co-ordinated it will be far easier to have a better relationship and more co-operation with education than at present.
Question No. 18 has been dealt with. Question No. 19.