The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh T.D. today (Tuesday 30 April) welcomed the publication of the Action Plan for Education 2019 Quarter 1 progress report.

The Action Plan – Cumasú is based on the idea of empowering through learning. The Plan highlights the significant strategic reform programme under way in the education and training sector. This enables the Department to respond in an agile way to the demands of today’s society at the same time as maintaining a focus on sustainable, carefully paced reform, in order to empower learners.

Progress during the year is monitored through published quarterly reports, ensuring transparent information. Today’s publication is the first report for 2019, and outlines progress made on the 28 actions due for delivery in quarter 1. The report provides details on achievements and an update on actions where significant progress has been made, but where it has been necessary to adjust the target date. Overall, it shows that progress is being made towards achieving the Department’s high level goals, which together will help to empower through learning.

Commenting on today’s publication, Minister McHugh said: “Since my appointment as Minister for Education and Skills, I have engaged in a series of meetings with our key partners. I have listened to their feedback and we have made adjustments to the scale and sequence of changes underway across the sector.

“This partnership approach has been used for the development of the 2019 Plan. This means that the Plan represents the voices of those who are on the ground delivering services, as well as those who are working with them to put in place the right guiding strategies and systems. By working in this way, we can continue to improve options and outcomes for all learners.”

A total of 24 actions have been delivered in quarter one (an 86% achievement rate), including: