Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We will publish the 2016 report on the Action Plan for Jobs and regional action plans for jobs. As I indicated, I have travelled around the country and we are hearing good news in respect of the Action Plan for Jobs. The Deputy referred to skills and indicated he had never heard me speak about them. Having often visited Limerick, I believe he will have heard me speak about skills because the issue features prominently in every speech I make.

When we visited China, Japan and the United States I was continually reminded of the importance of skills. I hear the same message on my visits to indigenous companies, including the company I visited today in Cherrywood.

The Department is working with the institutes of technology, universities and skills forum, all of which are represented on the implementation groups for the Action Plan for Jobs. Their voices are being heard. As a former school principal, I assure the Deputy that I know how important education will be in ensuring our children are ready to take up the new jobs coming down the track.

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