Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 33: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on the fact that the standard of Irish science, engineering and technology graduates is high enough for industry and enterprise based here; her policy on awarding work authorisations for third country science, engineering and technology workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27943/09]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The proportion of students studying science and mathematics at junior and leaving certificate levels has been stable since 2001 and Ireland ranks as one of the leading countries in the European Union in terms of science, mathematics and computing graduates. However, in terms of engineering graduates, Ireland is ranked well below the EU 15 average. This is a direct consequence of the prominence within Ireland's higher education system of science compared to engineering.

The National Skills Bulletin 2009 published last Friday by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, EGFSN, concluded that skill shortages persist within the economy and have been identified in the specialised high-skill areas of IT, science, sales-marketing, health, accountancy, engineering and management. Demand is confined to those with third level qualifications and with specific expertise and experience. For example, companies are still finding it difficult to source advanced IT system management skills, experienced engineers for the development and implementation of lean manufacturing processes and scientific technicians for the development and prototyping of specific medical devices.

Government employment permit policy is to ensure that general labour and skills needs are met from within the workforce of the EU. Employment permits will issue only in respect of non-EEA citizens on a vacancy specific basis where skills or labour shortages in areas strategic to the economy exist. The majority of employment permits in strategic high-skill areas are facilitated by way of our green card permit scheme. Green cards may issue in respect of vacancies where the salary on offer is at least €60,000 per annum or in respect of any occupation where the salary is in excess of €30,000 per annum provided that occupation is listed on a green card occupation list maintained by the Department. This list of occupations eligible for a green card has been recently reduced to reflect labour market conditions. The main categories are IT, health care, industry, education and finance.

In addition, the researcher mobility hosting agreement scheme, which provides for the entry into the State of researchers from third countries under Council Directive 2005/71/EC, has been operating successfully since 2007 with some 570 hosting agreements issued to researchers, representing more than 59 nationalities. Some 18 third level institutes and one private enterprise have been accredited to issue hosting agreements under the scheme. In addition, a hosting agreement extranet was established enabling relevant key departments, such as immigration authorities, embassies and consulates, access to an electronic database, thus expediting immigration procedures for third country researchers. Under both of the above schemes, the person will be allowed fast-track access to the long-term residence status to be provided under the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Minister of State for his response and compliment the steps taken to fast-track specific positions. I wish to flag an issue, namely, a comparison in the recently published Quarterly National Household Survey, which showed a decrease of 9,000 Irish nationals employed in the professional, scientific and technical sectors up to the end of the first quarter of 2009. During the same period, the number of employees from the EU 14 countries and third countries increased by 2,000 and 1,000, respectively. It would be worrying were this trend to continue, given the Government's planned significant investment in the smart economy and the Minister of State's comments last week to the effect that €100 million in EU research funding is entering Ireland per week.

The concern is that we are not producing graduates to a high enough standard to fulfil the roles being created. We must address this concern in terms of our education system and its focus on maths. The Minister for Education and Science has suggested a loan scheme for third level students. Elsewhere, this has been shown to force many people with technical skills out of their countries. Has the potential impact on retaining such skills been evaluated?

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Quarterly National Household Survey is an interesting reflection of what is occurring in the labour market, but we can do nothing about the 2,000 people from the EU. If 1,000 people from outside the EU are securing jobs in the categories in question, we must examine the matter, but there are schemes whereby third country nationals can enter Ireland where----

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It seems strange, given that we are discussing 9,000 of our own people.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----skill shortages have been identified. In the IT, banking and many other sectors, specific skills are required that are not available in the Irish labour market. Obviously, a stringent test is applied to employers who make this case. It is not true that employers can lightly invoke the reason of skill shortages. Rather, they must rigorously prove that an appropriate person is not available or cannot be accessed within the domestic or EEA labour market.

Deputy Naughten is correct concerning the issues regarding science and maths. There is a considerable difficulty associated with the quality and standard of leaving certificate and university students in the area of science and maths. It is a very considerable problem in that only 16% of the leaving certificate cohort take higher level maths.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Bearing in mind the Minister of State's previous and current roles and the fact that the quarterly national household survey shows 3,700 people from outside the European Union fall into the category in question, some of whom I hope will remain in Ireland and establish new businesses that may become the Intels of tomorrow, will the Minister of State examine the eight-month delay in the approval of business permits for people who have a good idea, want to develop it into a viable business and employ Irish people? I have asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment about this previously. One third of the applications are being abandoned because of the long delay in processing them.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I have obviously discussed that with my colleagues. The Minister of State, Deputy Billy Kelleher, in his previous remit, examined the issue of work permits very carefully. I reassure Deputies-----

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

-----that where it can be proven that an issue arises in respect of our own people - unemployed or otherwise - not being able to gain access to our labour market owing to people coming in from outside the European Union, it will be investigated vigorously. We do not want to be importing labour from outside the European Economic Area. We would investigate every matter in this regard, particularly the eight-month delay about which the Deputy spoke.