John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My Department works closely with the enterprises, development agencies and the Department of Education and Skills in addressing the skill needs. Since being appointed as Minister of State, I have placed a strong emphasis on ensuring that we have the talent and skills available to meet enterprise needs. I am working closely with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills. I am pleased that, under the auspices of the apprenticeship council, the first enrolments on the new apprenticeship programmes will commence in autumn of this year. The number of undergraduate ICT places will increase this autumn. I also recently launched the new web portal, Tech/Life Ireland, which is funded by my Department, to attract skilled professionals to this country.

In addition, the expert group on future skills needs, EGFSN, reports to me and to the Minister for Education and Skills regularly. The EGFSN plays a key role in advising the Government on the current and future skills needs of the economy. Recent EGFSN reports have anticipated future job opportunities arising from both expansion and replacement demand for a range of occupational roles. These include ICT, data analytics, manufacturing, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages. Future opportunities are also anticipated in international sales and marketing, project management, freight transport, distribution and logistics and the hospitality sector. I met the Irish Road Haulage Association over the last number of days.

Co-operation between employers and the education and training system is crucial in developing effective responses to skills needs and the regional skills fora will be important in that role.

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