Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 28: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on recent comments (details supplied) regarding skill shortages in engineering and technology areas; the steps she has taken to address this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13740/09]

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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As a leading knowledge economy, Ireland has a significant demand for the key skills of engineering, mathematics and information technology. In the competitive labour market over recent years supply side constraints and strong demand did create some difficulty at times for individual companies in recruiting suitable personnel.

The recent expert group on future skills need report — Future Requirements for High-Level ICT Skills in the ICT Sector 2008 — concluded that the market for high-level ICT skills is tightening and that projected demand is set to exceed domestic supply. The report identified a range of actions that can be implemented in the short, medium and long term to maximise career opportunities and jobs within the sector. The higher education sector in Ireland has responded to the demands of the labour market through a series of skills initiatives arising from this and other analysis by the expert group. On the basis of the expert group's recommendations for new courses, the Higher Education Authority invites proposals from higher education institutions to provide courses in targeted disciplines.

In addition, a number of measures to promote science, engineering and technology in schools and colleges, as well as raise awareness of the importance of these disciplines in wider society, are being taken by the Higher Education Authority, ICT Ireland and Discover Science and Engineering.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister of State for his reply but he seems to be on a different planet to me. The Tánaiste attended a jobs announcement by Intel recently at which it announced it was investing €50 million in jobs in research and development. Mr. Walsh of Intel said on that occasion that the State was not producing enough graduates or post-graduates in computer science and electronic engineering. Management at Havok, which is owned by Intel has also said it cannot get adequate numbers of quality staff here. These comments contradict the response of the Minister of State.

There is a shortage of qualified workers. We have a problem in that we do not attract enough students into the mathematic, science, electronic and engineering areas. Fine Gael put a question to the Minister for Education and Science on this last week but his response was less than satisfactory. Will the Tánaiste or Minister of State outline what engagement their Department has had with the Department of Education and Science to address this serious issue? We have a significant shortage of students and graduates in this area. Companies like Intel, Havok and Google have all said there is a problem in attracting and sourcing graduates in these areas. The Government has announced plans for a smart economy but if we do not have the students and graduates to deliver that, where are we going?

What specific action is the Department taking to deal with the issue? The Minister of State mentioned the Higher Education Authority but he seems to be looking backwards rather than concentrating on encouraging the take-up of science and engineering. He mentioned the discover science and engineering programme but it has not provided measurable numbers of students. Instead, we see a fall-off year in and out in the numbers of students attracted to these areas.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The problem was identified over the past number of years and that is the reason we commissioned the expert group on future skills needs to examine the area. The group came forward with a report on future requirements for high-level skills in the ICT sector. Currently we have an upskilling co-ordination group and an interdepartmental committee, which I chair, working to bring about co-operation between the two Departments. They also aim to bring about an implementation plan for the national skills strategy. That work is continuing.

Figures just released show there has been a 20% increase in first-choice applications for science to the CAO for the forthcoming academic year. That said, we continue the work to deal with the situation. A number of Government actions are being taken to promote science, technology, mathematics and engineering, including various post-graduate programmes; the ICT champion programme; the discover science and engineering programme; and the project maths programme, which will yield great results and which was introduced by the Department of Education and Science on a pilot basis and will be rolled out nationwide. Measures have also been taken by the industry advisory group. We have too the national centre for excellence in maths and science, mathematics support centres and the Strategy for Science, Technology and Innovation 2006-2013. A number of recommendations are being implemented in that regard.

I assure the Deputy that the expert group on future skills needs has issued a document identifying shortages and what we need to do up to the year 2020. Measures are being taken to deal with the situation. The interdepartmental committee is finalising an implementation plan for the national skills strategy. Work is continuing and the various programmes have been put in place to deal with the situation.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The report of the expert group on future skills needs was produced in December and the National Competitiveness Council supported many of its recommendations. However, last week the Minister for Education and Science did not indicate he would implement any of the recommendations, specifically the ones recommending bonus points for maths to encourage a take-up of maths or reconsidering the methods of teaching maths and science. It is only by addressing the issue at primary and secondary level that we will get the necessary feed for third level. Will the Minister of State respond to that?

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The overall view emerging with regard to the position on bonus points for higher level maths is that the introduction of bonus points is unlikely to dramatically increase uptake of higher level maths. A report from the points commission on this matter in 1999 came out against this recommendation on the basis that it would lead to a narrowing of the range of subjects taken by students and create pressure on students to make early career choices.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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That was ten years ago. The future skills group has now recommended it.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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The 1999 report suggested it would also give rise to equity issues where the subject was not available and that this would lead to distortions in third level access and provision. The issue has been given serious consideration again in recent months, but the overall view emerging is that we should not do it. It is only one recommendation. I mentioned already the project maths programme is being rolled out.

Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Competitiveness Council recommended it be implemented immediately.

Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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It is a matter of getting agreement following discussion and consultation. I do not agree that the Minister for Education and Science is not in favour of implementing the recommendations of the national skills strategy.