The OECD launched a review in 2001 of the guidance policies and practices of 14 countries, including Ireland. The European Commission and the World Bank conducted parallel studies in 23 other countries. NCGE coordinated the response to the OECD review questionnaire covering the management and delivery of career information, guidance and counselling services in Ireland.

The OECD expert team subsequently visited Ireland in December 2001. Richard Sweet and David Fretwell, the OECD representatives, published their
country note on Ireland in March 2002.

The review confirmed the many strengths of Irish guidance delivery but identified gaps in the existing provision, the coordination of services across government portfolios, monitoring of clients and some weaknesses in service delivery. The OECD commented that while the Irish guidance community is a “wide community with many common interests and needs, it is a surprisingly fragmented one for
such a small country.” It recommended the establishment of an Irish guidance forum, involving policy makers, stakeholders and service providers.

In light of these developments, the Department of Education and Science and the Deparment of Enterprise, Trade and Employment established the National Guidance Forum to address the gaps in guidance provision identified by the OECD report.

The OECD Report on Ireland can be downloaded here.