Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 May 2021
614. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to include reference in all new statements of strategy to all sustainable development goal targets for which his Department has lead responsibility as outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals National Implementation Plan 2018-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25750/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a significant and ambitious policy agenda that concerns all Government Departments. The first SDGs National Implementation Plan (2018-2020), published in 2018, set out Ireland’s strategy to achieve the SDGs both domestically and internationally. 19 Actions were included in the first National Implementation Plan.
I can advise the Deputy that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is fully committed to contributing to the national effort to implement the United Nations’ 17 SDGs. The Department’s Statement of Strategy was published in March 2021, with a mission to:
“Develop Ireland’s further and higher education and research systems to support people in reaching their full potential and to create value, prosperity, resilience and a cohesive, sustainable and vibrant society”.
Over the lifetime of the new Statement of Strategy, the Department will continue to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and in particular to SDG 4 – Quality Education “to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all”.
Strategic Goal 3 of our Statement of Strategy “Inclusion-Supporting learning for all” is clearly aligned with this objective and contributes in particular to SDG Targets 4.3, 4.5 and 4.6. It aims to:
“Provide supports and opportunities for learning to all, recognising the needs of vulnerable learners and the most marginalised, and assist people in access to and progression through higher and further education and training, so as to grow prosperity across communities and build social cohesion”.
Under this Strategic Goal, specific commitments that have been made include to:
- Undertake a strategic review of our policy framework with a view to better facilitate access, progression and success for a wider and more diverse learner population at all levels (Supports SDG Target 4.3);
- Begin scoping work on the next National Access Plan (Supports Target 4.3)
- Support an Inter-Departmental Group chaired by Minister Harris to oversee the development and publication of a new 10–year Strategy to transform Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skill Levels in Ireland (Supports SDG Target 4.6)
Strategic Goal 1: Develop Talent and Skill directly tackles SDG Targets 4.4 and 4.7, with regard to relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship; and knowledge and skills to promote and advance sustainable development.
It aims to:
“Collaborate with educational institutions, employers and others to identify the talents and skills required, and provide education and training, growing potential and helping people engage in and contribute to our economy and society”.
Under this Strategic Goal, specific commitments that my Department has made include to:
- Provide strategic and evidence-based input to the preparation of the new National Economic Plan, to ensure that that the Plan appropriately reflects the Department’s priorities, including as regards the skills agenda and the need for upskilling and reskilling in the context of significant labour market changes and the green and digital transitions (Supports SDG Targets 4.4 and SDG Target 13.3).
- Work with the Department of Social Protection through the inter-Departmental High Level Group, to implement the education and training elements of a new Pathways to Work Strategy (Supports SDG Target 4.4).
- Develop and Publish the Action Plan on Apprenticeships 2021-2025 - I’m pleased to report that this has already been published and launched on 19th April, 2021 (Supports SDG Target 4.4).
- In addition, on Earth Day, 22nd April, I launched a public consultation together with Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, on the development of a joint National Strategy on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to 2030. ESD to 2030 will be aligned to UNESCO’s Framework for ESD for 2030 and will directly contribute to the achievement of SDG Target 4.7, as well as being an enabler for the achievement for all other SDGs (Supports SDG Target 4.7).
My Department is also committed, as a stakeholder department, to harnessing the research, knowledge and innovation potential of our higher education and research system to tackle key societal challenges reflected in the SDG Goals for issues such as Climate Change (SDG Goal 13).
Strategic Goal 2: Innovation, Sub-Goal 4 is to:
-“Lead our sectoral contribution to Ireland’s Climate Action Plan and other national challenges, including by harnessing Ireland’s research and scientific expertise to engage and inform the public and provide evidence-based input to policy development and evaluation”.
My Department is currently working on the development of the next Research and Innovation Strategy and actions includes will support the achievement of SDG Goal 8, Target 8.2 focused on “Achieving higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors”.
My Department and I will continue to advance this important agenda through these programmes of work.
