Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senators who contributed to the debate. The challenge that lies before us is to ensure the labour force has the necessary skills to secure our continuing development and prosperity. The work of the EGFSN, as reflected in the fourth report, is an invaluable guide to future policy actions and we will ignore it at our peril.

The task of preparing the Irish workforce of the future is one we share, in the first instance, with our colleagues in the Department of Education and Science but it would be misleading to suggest that the solution to the problem lies solely in the hands of Government. While the Government can go a considerable way towards helping to create the conditions in which the education, training and development of the workforce occurs, it requires a response from individuals and enterprises to make learning and upskilling and the potential benefits they can deliver a reality.

There are challenges, about which many Senators spoke, which require changes in our thinking. It is not simply a question of committing more resources but how, within the context of the significant investment the State makes in education and training, we can build linkages with the enterprise sector and individual learners to leverage greater and better training and education outcomes.

Forecasting the supply of and demand for skills is not an exact science and it is understandable if there are differences of opinion about the precise nature of the projections across skills or sectors of the labour force. It is clear that there is, at least, a shared understanding of the challenge which the skills agenda poses for the economy.

I thank Senator Coghlan for his comments on the report. I am delighted to hear that he agrees with its conclusions. Senator Coghlan requested that the recommendations be implemented. Senator White welcomed the report and spoke particularly about the areas of biotechnology and ICT. I agree with her that we need to focus on those skills. We have adequate courses at third level and our problem is to ensure that students take up those courses. Senator White also mentioned the soft skills report. This area was also referred to by other speakers.

Senator Quinn agreed with the report's analysis of the food sector, an area in which he is an expert. Senator Hanafin was also supportive of the report and its recommendations. Senator Ormonde spoke of the need for people to become involved in the ICT and biotechnology areas and of the importance of training for apprentices. She made the worthwhile suggestion that the new chair, Ms Anne Heraty, should have an inservice day to consider the report's recommendations. Senator Ormonde considered it important for all sectors of society to be involved in this in order to progress the report's recommendations.

Senator Tuffy raised the question of the implementation of the report's recommendations. The EGFSN is an advisory group to the Ministers for Education and Science and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Both Ministers recognise the need to implement the recommendations and this is being done. I disagree with Senator Tuffy's claim that lifelong learning is being neglected. Both Departments are pressing ahead with implementing a broad range of recommendations in the taskforce approach to lifelong learning. Anyone who visits a VEC school in the evening will see the number of people who partake in the lifelong learning process, which is becoming more and more popular.

Senator Moylan raised the question of career guidance teachers. These teachers have a most important role in ensuring that they give the proper advice to students and do not, as the Senator said, put square pegs into round holes. This area must be examined. I can speak from my own experience in this area. Many young people have come to me, as a Deputy, to tell me they were told to take a certain career path although they had no interest in or aptitude for it. This question is vitally important in the areas of skills and education.

I agree with Senator Leyden that we should take a longer term view of the ICT sector. The downturn in this sector in recent years has discouraged students from entering it but there is already a change in this area. It is important to convey the message to students that they should not ignore this vital area.

I thank Senators for their comments and I commend the work of the expert group on future skills needs. I thank the outgoing chairman, Dr. Daniel O'Hare and I welcome the new chairperson, Ms Anne Heraty. I thank Senators for bringing this debate to the House and for their participation therein.