Richard Bruton
Ceist:9 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the targets, if any, he has set for extra throughput of students to meet emerging skill shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16689/97]
Written Answers - Technological Education.
Derek McDowell
Ceist:41 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the areas in which the skills shortage is particularly acute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16709/97]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 9 and 41 together.
The skills group, which was established by Forfás, identified skills needs in the areas of software engineering, engineering technicians and teleservices up to the end of the century.
In response to these identified needs, a steering committee, chaired by the chairman of the Higher Education Authority, was asked to identify the most cost effective way of providing the additional software and technician graduates. On receipt of the steering committee's report, I obtained Government approval for an immediate additional £5 million capital investment to fund an expansion in places on these high-technology courses in the 1997-98 academic year. No financial provision has previously been earmarked to meet these critical needs. The question of additional financial investment is under consideration in the context of the 1998 estimates. An additional 650 places in software engineering and 500 places in engineering technician programmes have been approved for the 1997-98 academic year.
I have also established a joint education/industry task force to improve the supply of technicians for the high technology sector. Arising from the work of the task force I have already announced the setting up of a new industry-college initiative to jointly recruit and educate and train technicians. The objective is that over 150 students will commence new courses in January 1998. These students will be recruited on a joint basis by institutions in the third level technological sector and by industry. The courses will involve structured work placement. Students undertaking these courses are expected to enter the workforce about 18 months after the courses begin.
In the teleservices area, I have introduced a national initiative to provide training to meet the skill needs of the international teleservices industry; 690 training places have been allocated in 20 PLC colleges throughout the country which will offer full-time two year post leaving certificate courses in international teleservices.
The success of our education system is crucial to the economic development of our country both in terms of our ability to attract inward investment and in the development of our indigenous enterprises. The availability of a highly educated workforce is of critical importance in this regard. One of my priorities is to ensure that our third level education system responds to the specific needs of the economy and the specific measures which I have outlined are concrete evidence of my commitment to this priority.
Richard Bruton
Ceist:10 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has for a national survey of the availability of the multimedia capacity of and the utilisation of computers in both primary and secondary schools in order to establish a clear baseline against which policy targets can be developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16695/97]
John Bruton
Ceist:28 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the current level of progress on the information society initiative to train 10,000 teachers in the use of the Internet. [16701/97]
Ceist:
34 Mr. Coveney asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recommendation of the steering committee on the information society that Ireland needs to achieve the Council of Europe target for computers in schools if Ireland is to achieve a leadership position in the use of technology in education. [16686/97]
Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:92 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for the development of information technology in education; and, if so, the finance and time frame proposed. [16567/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 28, 34 and 92 together.
Ireland at present lags significantly behind its European partners in the integration of information and communications technologies (ICTs) into first and second-level schools. It will be a major national challenge to meet the need to integrate technology into teaching and learning right across the curriculum. It is vital, in the interests of our future national welfare, that we succeed.
I will shortly be publishing a comprehensive policy framework document on ICTs in education reflecting the Government's commitment in the Action Programme for a New Millennium to achieving computer literacy throughout the school system. I will also be announcing a very substantial Government investment to underpin the implementation of the programme. This investment will target action on the following key areas:
— Classroom resources and equipment infrastructure;
— teacher skills development and support; and
— policy development and research.
I am determined that the national programme will be an integrated one, with the installation of equipment in schools being closely linked to actions on curriculum development, teacher training and the provision of support services. The ICT training needs of teachers will be addressed, with training being delivered to one-third or more of all teachers. Internet usage will be one element of a comprehensive training initiative.
The national programme will substantially increase the number of multimedia computer systems in our schools. I will be publishing details of the Government's equipment targets in the policy framework document. A partnership approach will be fundamental to the programme and I expect to be able to meet, and possibly exceed, our equipment targets with the support of public and private sector partners. Telecom Éireann, for example, has already announced that it will be making a significant contribution in this regard.
Appropriate organisation structures are being put in place to implement the action programme on ICTs. I have already established an educational ICTs co-ordination unit within my Department which is acting as the focal point for my Department's involvement in educational ICT issues. I am also establishing a national centre for technology in education (NCTE) at Dublin City University which will carry forward the implementation of the national programme in all 4,000 schools in the State and provide policy advice to my Department. In implementing the national programme, the NCTE will develop a database which will include information on ICT capacity and utilisation in all first and second-level schools.