Skills Development

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 April 2013

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Ceisteanna (75)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate, arising from the experience in recent years, the extent to which the education system adequately meets the requirements and standards of the workplace with particular reference to the needs of industry in the filling of posts at various levels; if the type and quality of skills available is adequate to meet the demand, nationally and internationally; if any particular or obvious issues have arisen which may require attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17579/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills

The policy basis which informs my Department's education and training provision includes the National Skills Strategy, the Strategy for Science Technology and Innovation, the Report of the Task Force on Innovation, the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, the Action Plan for Jobs and Pathways to Work.

In addition to the wide range of cross-cutting policy structures and forums for engagement on enterprise skills needs, such as the National Competitiveness Council, and the Innovation Task Force; direct advice from enterprise informs the development of education and training policy on an ongoing basis. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs informs the selection of new targeted programmes designed to tackle the skills shortages in particular elements of the economy, e.g. Springboard, Momentum and the ICT skills conversion initiative, which was introduced as part of the ICT Action Plan.

Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 46.