Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 27 Feb 2003

Vol. 562 No. 3

Written Answers - Education Policy.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

38 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to recent comments by the chief executive of IDA Ireland suggesting that education policy was too introspective and adrift from the needs of people; his views on these comments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5840/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

I assume the Deputy is referring to a speech made recently by Mr. Dorgan at a meeting in Dublin of education chief executive officers from OECD countries. Mr. Dorgan's theme was the challenges ahead for education systems and education chief executive officers. A central element of his presentation was that in the context of globalisation, competition and changing skills needs, education systems must reach out and connect with the national and international social and economic environments in which they operate. Education must respond to the needs of society and the economy if it is to serve the needs of people.

I entirely agree with Mr. Dorgan on this approach. It is, and has been for some time, central to the Government's policy on education.

Referring to the Irish experience, Mr. Dorgan noted that our education system has worked very well for us as a society and economy to-date and that it was a very substantial contributor to our economic progress in the last ten years. The challenge facing policy makers now is to ensure that our education system can continue to make that substantial contribution to our development. It is a challenge which I and my Department are happy to take up.