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Departmental Data

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2016

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Ceisteanna (186)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied with the level of data that is collected on the issues which come under his Department's remit; the steps he will take to work with the administration in Northern Ireland to collect data on a North-South basis; the budgets he will put in place to undertake this work (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14439/16]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In November 2015 my Department established a new Data & Knowledge Management Unit which is currently preparing a Departmental Data Strategy to be published in late 2016. As part of its remit the Unit is working to identify and collect information on what data the Department collects, shares, develops, uses, analyses, evaluates, manages and governs. This work is intended to identify data issues and gaps that need to be addressed and opportunities and challenges to improving their effective use. Differing legislative, policy and institutional frameworks North and South present significant challenges in achieving an overall coordinated and cohesive approach to data gathering and compatibility on an all-island basis. In addition, the two Education Departments on the island are governed by the provisions of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement that designate cross-border co-operation in education in four specific areas: educational underachievement; teacher qualifications; special educational needs; and school youth and teacher exchanges. Within this framework, my Department will continue to explore with the Department of Education NI the potential for developing and enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual benefit, including joint approaches to information gathering, sharing and exchange of best practice.

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