Hildegarde Naughton
Ceist:69. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps his Department is taking to promote and drive regional development. [14281/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 29 March 2018
Ceisteanna (69)
Freagraí scríofa
Education and training has been critical to Ireland’s transformation over recent decades and central to sustaining economic success and building strong communities. My Department will support the measures outlined throughout the National Planning Framework Ireland 2040 which notes that “ Strategic planning of and investment in the provision of childcare, education and training are central to reinforcing the delivery of sustainable communities, promoting inclusion and offering choice and accessibility to a high standard of education and employment”.
The National Planning Framework seeks to prioritise the alignment of targeted and planned population and employment growth with educational investment in the following:
A childcare/ECCE planning function, for monitoring, analysis and forecasting of investment needs, including identification of regional priorities.
The provision of childcare facilities and new and refurbished schools on well located sites within or close to existing built-up areas that meet the diverse needs of local populations.
The expansion and consolidation of Higher Education facilities, particularly where this will contribute to wider regional development.
Programmes for life-long learning, especially in areas of higher education and further education and training where skills gaps are identified through sources such as the Regional Skills Fora.
In the Higher Education sector, the development of Technological Universities will drive Regional jobs growth and economic development.
In addition my Department will continue to deliver and develop measures under the National Skills Strategy 2025 and the Action Plan for Education 2016-2019 that aim to promote and drive regional development. My Department has already established nine Regional Skills Fora and will continue to support wider Government policy and initiatives on regional economic development, including the Regional Action Plans for Jobs and the Action Plan for Rural Development.