Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

A number of immediate actions are being taken. We have commissioned a report from Forfás on the manufacturing sector which will focus specifically on the issues that have been raised by the Deputy, including future skills deficits, research and development needs and the adequacy of our technological support. When we prioritised research expenditure, we identified the segments of high value manufacturing where we believe the best opportunities lie. The Department is working with Science Foundation Ireland on the refocusing of priorities. As I mentioned in my reply, we are setting up a forum of manufacturers to work with the Government to identify the areas in which we can build and to bring to the table their experience of existing limitations. There is a sense among some manufacturers that theirs is a forgotten sector. Perhaps it was such during the boom, during which period those who would normally have gone into manufacturing entered other sectors. There is a need to refocus on manufacturing. The future skills report to which the Deputy referred identified some of the areas in which we need to develop stronger traineeships and focus on specific opportunities.

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