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Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022

Thursday, 19 May 2022

Ceisteanna (129)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

129. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider having a Higher Education Colleges Association representative at the National Skills Council and Fora; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25246/22]

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Freagraí scríofa

The National Skills Strategy, 2016- 2025, is the overarching framework for skills policy in Ireland. One of its’ key tenets is partnership between Government and key skills stakeholders, including the enterprise sector and providers of education and training programmes.

The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, and enterprise. The broader skills ecosystem also encompasses entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU), the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) and the National Training Fund Advisory Group (NTFAG).

Through 2022 Ireland, in partnership with the OECD, is reviewing Ireland’s skills strategies, policies and approaches. The primary focus of the work of NSC in 2022 is to feed into the ongoing OECD Skills Strategy Project.

One of the four set priority areas for the review is “Strengthening the Governance across a joined up Skills Ecosystem”. Therefore the review is actively examining the skills architecture, including in terms of the role, membership and work of the NSC. This will provide the opportunity to assess how best to ensure that all stakeholders in the skills system can contribute to its future development and improvement.

While this review is ongoing all skills stakeholders, including the Higher Education Colleges Association, are encouraged to feed into the project, at the upcoming national workshop on June 9th and via stakeholder surveys here: https://www.research.net/r/1stPublicConsulationSurvey-Ireland-OSS.

Additionally, I understand that officials in my Department have been in direct contact with HECA in recent weeks liaising on this.

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