Seanad debates

Wednesday, 25 April 2012

11:00 am

Photo of Fidelma Healy EamesFidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

A "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum is critical for the stability of the country and will allow us to get on with addressing the issues of most concern to the people. I spent the last two days at a meeting attended by representatives of all 27 European Union member states at which it was clear youth unemployment was the major concern throughout Europe, just as it was in Ireland. If we are serious about tackling this problem, we must provide a stable environment for the economy to grow. All of the evidence suggests the next growth spurt will emerge from the digital agenda. In fact, it is estimated that e-commerce is growing at such a rate as to provide up to 30,000 new jobs a year across the European Union. The problem, however, is that neither Ireland nor the Union as a whole is ready for this development, with demand already outstripping supply in terms of the availability of information technology professionals. A truly shocking figure is that by 2015 there will be a shortage of such professionals to the tune of some 700,000. We must work together to address this skills shortfall. We must be prepared to meet developments in this area, as a Government and as a country, for the sake of our young people. Will the Deputy Leader facilitate a debate on the digital agenda, including a discussion of the reasons broadband penetration in the State remains below the EU average? The Minister for Education and Skills should also be invited to the Chamber to discuss the implications for universities and institutes of technology of the projected shortfall in the number of IT professionals. Every business and marketing course should include a core component on information technology, digital marketing and social media, but that is not being done. In the absence of a proactive approach, it is our young people who will lose out. The great news is that the digital world is one that appeals to them.

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