This report is part of a series of country projects within the OECD programme of work on Building Effective National Skills Strategies.
The OECD wishes to thank Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, for his commitment to this OECD Skills Strategy project.
The OECD is grateful to Ireland’s Cross-Departmental Project Team (CDPT) for its invaluable guidance and input throughout the project. We are particularly grateful to William Beausang, Stephanie O’Brien, Emma Kinsella, Karolina Murphy and Noel Martin from the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS) for co‑ordinating the project. Other members of the CDPT include, in alphabetical order: Marcus Breathnach (Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment [DETE]); Nora Condon (SLMRU [SOLAS]); Trudy Duffy (DFHERIS); Jaqueline Hogan (Department of Social Protection [DSP]); Caoimhe Hope (DFHERIS); Enda Hughes (DFHERIS); Georgina Hughes‑Elders (Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform [DPENDPDR]); Paul Keating (Department of Education [DEP EDU]); Tanya Kenny (DFHERIS); Siobhan Lawlor (DSP); Orla Lynch (DFHERIS); Mary McGarry (DFHERIS); Sarah Miley (DFHERIS); Fiona O’Byrne (DFHERIS); Nicki O’Connor (DFHERIS); Gillian Smyth (Department of the Taoiseach); and Dervila Twamley (DFHERIS). The OECD also would like to thank the Chair and members of the National Skills Council and the Regional Skills Fora Managers and Chairs for their active engagement in the project.
Our warm thanks to the over 250 representatives of departments, government agencies, education and training institutions, businesses and business associations, unions, community associations, think tanks and other organisations who generously shared their insights during workshops, group discussions and bilateral meetings with the OECD team in Ireland, and for their written input. We would also like to take the opportunity to thank Ireland’s CDPT and Regional Skills Fora Managers for their excellent organisation of the national and regional workshops, group discussions and bilateral meetings. We also thank the moderators and notetakers in the workshops.
While the report draws upon data and analysis from the OECD, Ireland’s authorities and other published sources, any errors or misinterpretations remain the responsibility of the OECD team.
Bart Staats was the OECD Project Leader responsible for managing this OECD Skills Strategy project in Ireland. The authors of the report were: Bart Staats, OECD Centre for Skills (Chapter 1 and Chapter 2); Tamar Friedman Wilson, OECD Centre for Skills (Chapter 3); Heather Carey, Work Advance Ltd. (Chapter 4); and Laura Reznikova, OECD Centre for Skills (Chapter 5). Sofía Gómez Sanchez and Isabel Monaghan (OECD Centre for Skills) provided background research and workshop support. Mikaela Malka (OECD Centre for Skills) assisted with proof-reading.
Andrew Bell, Head of OECD Skills Strategies, provided analytical guidance and supervised the project. El Iza Mohamedou, Head of the OECD Centre for Skills, oversaw the project, while Stefano Scarpetta, OECD Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, and Mark Pearson, OECD Deputy Director for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs, provided strategic oversight.
Véronique Quénehen and Jennifer Cannon (OECD Centre for Skills) provided invaluable support for mission organisation, report layout and design and publication planning. Julie Harris provided proofreading and editorial support.