Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2016
183. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the changes he will introduce in the provision of training and skills to assist unemployed workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22543/16]
View answerMy Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Social Protection on the implementation of Pathways To Work 2016 -2020.
The Further Education and Training (FET) sector has undergone major structural and policy changes over the last number of years, with the purpose of ensuring that we have a FET sector that is flexible and responsive to the needs of learners and industry alike. The FET Strategy 2014-2019, underpinning reform of the sector, contains over 50 individual actions that are tracked through a detailed implementation plan around five key goals, and includes the action to support active inclusion of all. Under the strategy, a new planning and funding model has been established, so that provision is planned on a strategic basis to meet the needs of learners and employers in each ETB region and is published in the annual FET Services Plan. Intreo offices provide an important input into the annual service planning process and specific revised protocols are being put in place between ETBs and INTREO offices to foster closer collaboration and engagement and to support better client matching to education and training provision.
The National Skills Strategy (NSS) which was published earlier this year sets out a framework to ensure that every citizen has all the skills needed to succeed in life. The strategy, which contains over 120 actions, provides for the establishment of the National Skills Council and supports a strong collective focus on skills provision at regional level through the work of the new Regional Skills Fora.
