Vol. 423 No. 1
197 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education if, in respect of the recommendations of the Culliton Committee, he will outline, for each recommendation concerning his Department, the action, if any, which he has already taken or proposes to take, the changes involved and the cost of such action; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The recommendations of the Culliton Committee in relation to education and training were examined thoroughly prior to the finalisation of the Green Paper on Education, including full consultation with the task force overseeing the implementation of the review group's findings.
One of the six key aims in the Green Paper is "to broaden Irish education — so as to equip students more effectively for life, for work in an enterprise culture, and for citizenship of Europe".
The strategy set out in the relevant parts of the Green Paper is fully supported by the task force. The main elements of this strategy include:
—the development at all levels of the education system of an "enterprise ethos" in the broad sense of fostering and encouraging a spirit of creativity and innovation among students.
—significant structural and curricular initiatives at all levels including a strengthened and expanded vocational orientation in the senior cycle, increased emphasis on language skills, the introduction of a new subject enterprise and technology studies, the further development of schools/industry links and the representation of the business community on boards of management.
—a restructuring of post-secondary vocational education and training programmes including the introduction of authoritative, national certification arrangements for all such programmes.
