Education Standards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 April 2014

Wednesday, 9 April 2014

Questions (22)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

22. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which continued assessment takes place of the need to ensure that children or students exiting from the education system are adequately prepared to meet the challenges of the workplace with particular reference to the degree to which their educational accomplishments are in line with the requirements of industry and-or administration in the public-private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16425/14]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

The Deputy will be aware that there is a wide ranging programme of reform underway across the education and training sector and one of the key aims is to ensure the continued development of skills appropriate to enterprise, particularly through the implementation of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy, reform of the Junior Cycle, the establishment of the local Education and Training Boards and SOLAS, reform of Higher Education and the Review of Apprenticeships.

Targeted funding is also being allocated for training opportunities in areas where there are skills shortages identified by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs.

In addition, the first Higher Education System Performance Report is currently being prepared and will set out the level of performance of the system in relation to Ireland's human capital needs. Officials in my Department regularly meet business and industry leaders through the Enterprise Engagement Forum which provides an opportunity for regular direct engagement on key education policy issues with enterprise partners.