Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 May 2018
64. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the 2018 digital economy and society index by the European Commission; and his further views on more than half of the Irish adult population lacking at least basic digital skills. [22980/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2018, Ireland ranks among the high-performing cluster of countries in 6th position, up three positions from DESI 2017. Ireland ranks first in the share of young people holding a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) degree. However, the report also states that more than half of the population lack basic digital skills.
The Irish Government recognises the importance of Digital Literacy in facilitating the full inclusion of all members of our society. The Action Plan for Jobs 2018 contains a commitment to develop a high level National Digital Strategy, to provide a coherent vision across sectoral policies to position Ireland to maximise economic and societal benefits from digitialisation.
A range of actions are in place across the education and training system to support the acquisition of enhanced digital skills and to increase the use of digital technologies in teaching and learning. These build on actions on digital skills set out in the National Skills Strategy 2025.
In 2015, my Department published the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 which includes a range of relevant actions that will support the development of digital skills both directly through specific curriculum content and through technology enhanced learning across the curriculum.
Within the Higher Education sector, a number of actions are included to implement the Roadmap for Enhancement in a Digital World 2015-2017 aimed at supporting the development and embedding of digital capacity in teaching and learning activities and developing consistent digital experiences for learners.
There are considerable changes occurring within the Further Education Sector (FET) to improve the existing capacity in the area of digital inclusion and the provision of digital skills in FET. The Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) in Further Education and Training 2016 – 2019 Strategy will build on existing capacity and good practice in TEL to expand access to and continuously improve and innovate FET provision.
A range of programmes are provided within ETBs for individuals who wish to develop their digital literacy. Basic ICT tuition is integrated within adult literacy and numeracy provision. Opportunities for basic skills provision is offered through a variety of providers via a broad range of ETB FET provision delivered in adult education centres, community education settings and training centres. Delivery of these programmes is designed to meet the needs of participants' personal and career goals and are offered on a full and part-time basis. These courses are supported through the funding provided to the Adult Literacy Programme, Bridging and Foundation Training, Local Training Initiatives, Community Education, Youthreach and the BTEI (Back to Education Initiative). Some of these programmes combine transversal skills such as literacy, numeracy, digital skills, communications and teamworking with specific occupational skills.
In 2017 a total of 58,103 beneficiaries availed of FET programmes within the ICT skills cluster. This is in addition to 180,000 beneficiaries of core personal skills training and general learning programmes which typically include digital literacy elements.
