Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The key is to have that link-up. As a Minister of State for seven or eight months, I have spent a great deal of time working with universities, institutes of technology and other research centres to ensure that there is a link-up. I have a leg in the Departments of Education and Skills and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation. I am trying to drive that link-up and agenda. That is working, and the focus across Departments will deliver. More than €1 billion is being spent on research. We are trying to get results out of that investment in terms of jobs, but also in terms of solutions for engineering and society.

Later this morning, I will launch the national employer survey, under which we will engage with employers to determine whether we are producing the skills and graduates they need to grow jobs, exports and sales. We are responding across a range of Departments and it is important that we continue this collaboration.

The Deputy mentioned Cadbury. In the previous question, the Minister, Deputy Bruton, discussed that issue in detail. Perhaps the Deputy might read the record. The Minister has put a great deal of effort into arranging for these questions to be taken together.

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