Dick Spring
Question:252 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason the industry advisers group, as part of the NCTE management and advisory structure, has not been set up. [19255/99]
Written Answers. - Industry Advisory Group.
As part of the necessary groundwork for the establishment of the industry advisory group, I have already set up the national policy advisory and development committee for Schools IT 2000 which includes representatives from the social partners. Included among these are representatives from the Irish Business and Employers Confederation IBEC, an organisation which has members from industry.
In addition, my Department and the National Centre for Technology in Education have also been developing contacts and relationships with the private sector generally and with public enterprise to promote and support investment in educational ICT by business and industry. The success of these contacts is evident from the excellent relationships and partnerships which have already developed. These have resulted in numerous educational initiatives involving ICT both at national and local levels supported by industry. I have had the privilege of launching many of these over the past year.
Now that this preparatory work has been completed, I intend to put in place the procedures to formally establish the industry advisory group at an early date.