Vol. 442 No. 2
7 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he has achieved the deadlines which he set out for the seven recommendations adopted by Government in response to the Moriarty Task Force recommendations on education and training.
80 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment whether he has achieved the deadlines which he set out for the seven recommendations adopted by Government in response to the Moriarty Task Force recommendations on education and training.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 80 together.
Bearing in mind that action on a number of the recommendations in question is essentially ongoing, I am satisfied that the relevant deadlines have either been met or that satisfactory progress is being made on them.
Specifically the position in relation to the various recommendations is as follows:
1. Greater social partnership representation on Higher Education Authority when next appointed: Although this is a matter for the Minister for Education, it remains the intention to improve the balance of such representation when the Higher Education Authority falls due for its next appointment. Already under the 1992 Regional Technical Colleges Act and the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, such representation has been provided for.
2. Action Group on roles of FAS-Education sector in relation to apprenticeship and pre-work education and training: The respective roles of FÁS-Education sector in relation to apprenticeship have been defined in the context of the phased introduction last September of the new standards-based apprenticeship system. Progress is being made in relation to the pre-work education and training spheres.
3. New FAS Industry Division: the new division has been established.
4. Formulation of proposals for greater level of training by industrial firms: While implementation of this recommendation remains ongoing, proposals in this regard have already been published in the National Development Plan and in the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
5. Establishment of NETCB: Proposals are under consideration and it is hoped to finalise them in the near future.
6. Transition to higher skill-knowledge standards of certification: This is linked to the establishment of the NETCB which will be a catalyst for the development of a certification system based on international "best practice" skills and knowledge.
7. Co-ordination Group on training needs for industry to be established: This group has been established.
Is the Minister of State disappointed that several deadlines have not been met? The National Education and Training Certification Board due to be in operation by October 1993 has not been established while the report of the action group on the roles of FÁS and the education sector due by July of 1993 has not materialised. It appears that the Departments involved have only been able to come to grips with the question of apprenticeship training. Does the Minister of State agree that there have not been proposals from the Department of Education to encourage industrial firms to provide training? While there has been much talk, I have not seen firm proposals which were expected by July 1993. Does the Minister of State agree that the deadlines set must be met and that there is no point in producing report after report on services and small businesses if we do not meet deadlines where Government decisions have been made?
I am not disappointed, I am heartened at the progress we have made. There is ongoing action on a number of the recommendations. The Deputy focused on the establishment of the National Education and Training Certification Board. Advanced proposals are to hand on that——
It was supposed to have reported six months ago.
——and we hope to have it established within a very short period.
The Deputy also asked about training for industry. Major sectoral studies have now been published and launched in the initial phase of targeting industrial training for the various sectors. If FÁS has not already sent them to the Deputy I will be happy to arrange to do so. Subsequently voluntary committees, comprising prominent people within the various sectors of industry, published their reports. We are now proceeding to devise a strategy for the training which will evolve from the recommendations in those reports.
I admire the Minister's ability to feint and weave about these questions. However, it was not the job of FÁS to produce studies, the Department of Enterprise and Employment was supposed to produce proposals by July 1993 and the certification board was to have been in place in October 1993. Why does the Minister commit herself to deadlines and then not honour them? She is letting down those who put so much effort into putting these reports together.
Would the Deputy prefer a rushed formulation of a proposal which could not stand up to scrutiny? There is a need for a proper consultation. We had a very good debate in the House on apprenticeships and I look forward to further debates as we develop our ideas for training in industry and other sectors of employment. The sectoral studies have been initiated and launched and matters are moving ahead satisfactorily. The Deputy asks why we set objectives and do not meet them. Objectives are set as desirable target dates towards which to work. Without objectives there would be no agenda for work. I am satisfied, but not complacent, that progress is being made and that we need to build on that.
The Minister referred to one of the recommendations relating to the new FÁS industrial division. What exactly is the scope of the division and what is its remit?
Its remit is to devise and put forward proposals on industrial training, particularly for people in employment. Much work has been done, beginning with the sectoral studies, it is at an advanced stage and we hope that by midsummer we will be able to publish our proposals.
