Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2014
481. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills her views that the transition year in second level schools could include further specific tutorials on managing and starting up small and medium-sized businesses as it has been noted in a report that Ireland has a low level of entrepreneurial enterprise in comparison to other OECD countries; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37985/14]
View answerIn Transition Year at present as well as the opportunity for work placement, students can take part in enterprise units and in student enterprise competitions such as the Student Enterprise award and the mini company "Get up and Go" competition. The latter is designed specifically for transition year students with an emphasis on team work. The mini-company involves students in research, planning, establishing a business, perhaps experiencing some risks and some failures, marketing, making or providing a service/product, drafting accounts, writing a report and finally winding down the company. I recently held a forum with enterprise to explore further how schools and enterprise can work together to promote entrepreneurship in schools and I expect to continue this engagement with a view to developing additional ways to promote entrepreneurship in schools.
