Jim O'Keeffe
Question:99 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science his plans in relation to the development of third level education. [15760/03]
Written Answers. - Departmental Surveys.
As experience over recent decades has shown, the role of the higher education sector in Ireland's broad economic and social development is a central one. In line with other economies at a similar stage of development, the objective for the next phase of Ireland's economic development is based on building competitive advantage around skills and knowledge, by making the transition from an investment-driven economy to a knowledge and innovation economy. The fostering of an environment of top class research and development through significant investment in infrastructure and institutional research strategies under the programme for research in third level institutions, PRTLI, and through mission-oriented research is of major importance for our future economic and social development. We have made dramatic strides in recent years in this area.
There are now more than 2,000 additional researchers working in the Irish third level sector as a result of the recent initiatives for research funding and over 80% of publicly funded research and development in Ireland takes place in the higher education sector. Our national research effort is an ongoing one and the strategic objectives that it underpins are critically important.
The contribution of the higher education sector in meeting broad economic, social and cultural needs also goes beyond that. It has a key role in responding to rapidly evolving labour market needs in terms of the numbers, disciplinary mix and competencies of the graduates it produces. In terms of social development, higher education has a fundamental role in the achievement of progress in areas such as social inclusion, equality and justice.
The sector faces a number of important challenges at this time. Demographic projections of a reducing school leaver cohort indicate future change in the profile of entrants to higher education in Ireland and will require the further development of activities aimed at reaching out to hitherto under-represented groups such as mature students, part-timers, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, students with disabilities and overseas students.
The 2002 report of the taskforce on lifelong learning pointed up significant participation rate gaps for adult learners in full or part-time education between Ireland and the EU. The concept of lifelong learning is key in terms of supporting broad strategic objectives for a knowledge-based economy and in addressing issues of social exclusion. Of significant importance in this context is the development of a national framework of qualifications, led by the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, to provide for access, mobility, progression, transfer and transparency of prior learning.
In considering future provision of higher education, the need to balance the question of supporting and facilitating diversity within and between institutions and ensuring that collectively they meet national needs is of key importance. The Higher Education Authority, HEA, is currently looking at the development of a framework for addressing questions around disciplinary balance in Irish higher education and I am awaiting their report in this regard. As the Deputy will be aware, there are also plans for the transfer of administrative responsibility for the institute of technology sector to the Higher Education Authority and a number of important issues are under consideration in the context of that transfer.
The recent strategic reports commissioned by the Dublin Institute of Technology, "Towards an Integrated System of Tertiary Education", and by the Council of Directors of the Institutes of Technology, "Institutes of Technology and the Knowledge Society – Their Future Position and Roles", are welcome contributions to the policy debate in this area. I am aware that the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities is also carrying out a similar analysis of future strategic direction for the university sector. It is my intention that the Irish higher education sector will be fully equipped to meet the many demanding challenges that it faces over the coming years and to play a lead role in Ireland's social and economic progress over that period. I look forward in this regard to engaging with all interested parties, both within and outside the education sector, to explore how we can best ensure that this happens.
In this context, I have asked officials in my Department to engage the OECD to undertake a wide-ranging review of the higher education system in Ireland. Draft terms of reference for the study are under preparation and initial discussions have taken place with the OECD in this regard.