I propose to take Questions Nos. 27, 122 and 123 together.
The education and training system has a central role to play in the development of workforce and entrepreneurship skills and through the provision of the research and innovation system which will foster economic growth, enterprise development and the creation of future employment opportunities.
The enterprise sector is represented on the statutory agencies responsible for curriculum reform and assessment, quality assurance and policy advice across the education system and on the boards of VECs, Institutes of Technology and FÁS. Direct advice and input from industry also informs the development of education policy on an ongoing basis. Examples include the NCCA consultation processes on curriculum reform and assessment, and the process to develop the new national strategy on higher education.
The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) also plays a key role in advising on the future skills needs of enterprise. Its reports are disseminated directly to education and training providers and provide a valuable input to the development and amendment of course curricula. EGFSN research and engagement between higher education providers and industry informed the development and selection of part-time higher education programmes for unemployed people being funded through the Springboard programme launched as part of the Governments Jobs Initiative. My Department and the Higher Education Authority, in collaboration with the Secretariat to the EGFSN are also working closely with representatives of the ICT industry to develop further responses to specific skills needs that have been identified by that sector.
