Ms Gillian Kinsella:

While there is still much to be understood about the net-zero academies, generally speaking, Hydrogen Ireland is quite positive about the concept that is coming through there. It is a new sector we are looking to develop. There is massive potential for job growth and skills development. We feel there is a need to better identify the exact skills that we will need. The net zero academies will be discussed and considered under this concept called a net zero Europe platform. For Ireland to be able to partake meaningfully in that platform, it would be excellent if we had the information to back that up. There has previously been some excellent work carried out by the expert group on future skills needs looking at areas such as retrofit and renewables and what skills might be needed. Similar work focusing on hydrogen would be excellent, particularly taking into account the broader skills demands we have for infrastructure because we may all be looking to avail of the same talent pools. That would be very beneficial.