Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

The proportion of students studying science and mathematics at junior and leaving certificate levels has been stable since 2001 and Ireland ranks as one of the leading countries in the European Union in terms of science, mathematics and computing graduates. However, in terms of engineering graduates, Ireland is ranked well below the EU 15 average. This is a direct consequence of the prominence within Ireland's higher education system of science compared to engineering.

The National Skills Bulletin 2009 published last Friday by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, EGFSN, concluded that skill shortages persist within the economy and have been identified in the specialised high-skill areas of IT, science, sales-marketing, health, accountancy, engineering and management. Demand is confined to those with third level qualifications and with specific expertise and experience. For example, companies are still finding it difficult to source advanced IT system management skills, experienced engineers for the development and implementation of lean manufacturing processes and scientific technicians for the development and prototyping of specific medical devices.

Government employment permit policy is to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce of the EU. Employment permits will issue only in respect of non-EEA citizens on a vacancy specific basis where skills or labour shortages in areas strategic to the economy exist. The majority of employment permits in strategic high-skill areas are facilitated by way of our green card permit scheme. Green cards may issue in respect of vacancies where the salary on offer is at least €60,000 per annum or in respect of any occupation where the salary is in excess of €30,000 per annum provided that occupation is listed on a green card occupation list maintained by the Department. This list of occupations eligible for a green card has been recently reduced to reflect labour market conditions. The main categories are IT, health care, industry, education and finance.

In addition, the researcher mobility hosting agreement scheme, which provides for the entry into the State of researchers from third countries under Council Directive 2005/71/EC, has been operating successfully since 2007 with some 570 hosting agreements issued to researchers, representing more than 59 nationalities. Some 18 third level institutes and one private enterprise have been accredited to issue hosting agreements under the scheme. In addition, a hosting agreement extranet was established enabling relevant key departments, such as immigration authorities, embassies and consulates, access to an electronic database, thus expediting immigration procedures for third country researchers. Under both of the above schemes, the person will be allowed fast-track access to the long-term residence status to be provided under the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008.

See this speech in context