Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 October 2021
177. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified specific issues likely to contribute to further improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors with a view to establishing a reputation equal to the best globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50150/21]
View answerThe establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science recognises the importance of the further and higher education sectors as an engine for economic growth and an instrument to promote diversity and enhance social cohesion. My Department’s Statement of Strategy, published in March 2021 centres around strategic goals of developing talent and skills, innovation, inclusion, and positioning Ireland globally as a leading knowledge economy.
The Statement of Strategy sets out the Department’s ambitions across a range of issues including:
- improving the transition to further and higher education for school leavers
- implementing a new 10-year strategy to improve literacy, numeracy and digital skills to ensure nobody is left behind
- reforming skills training and investing in upskilling and reskilling opportunities in areas of economic growth including in the area of green and digital skills
- overhauling the Apprenticeship system and developing a new plan to increase apprenticeships to 10,000 every year
- putting in place a sustainable approach to higher education funding
- introducing new legislation to reform higher education governance
- undertaking a national engagement on research and science and develop a renewed national strategy to succeed Innovation 2020
- implementing a new Access Plan for higher education and reviewing the Student Grant Scheme
- growing our international reach and position Ireland as a leader in higher education and research
- supporting the establishment of Technological Universities across the country to improve access to higher education and to act as anchors for regional and national innovation and growth and
- advancing North South co-operation in higher education and research.
Significant progress has been made on a range of these goals with the establishment of three technological universities to date, and two further applications currently under consideration; the publication of the Apprenticeship Action Plan and the publication of the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy. The development of the next National Access Plan (NAP) 2022 - 2026 is currently underway while the review of the Student Grant Scheme is at an advanced stage.
A report on the future sustainability of further and higher education will be considered by Government in the near future.
Together these actions will support the development of our further and higher education and research systems to support people in reaching their full potential and to create value, prosperity, resilience and a cohesive, sustainable and vibrant society.
