Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the launch of Senator MacSharry's policy document yesterday, which I am sure will contribute to the serious debate on the issue of suicide prevention.

I welcome today's news that European Union finance Ministers have agreed to formally ask the troika to examine the best possible option for Ireland in extending the deadline for repaying the bailout loans. It is important news and, combined with the recent decision to replace the promissory notes with bonds, will result in real savings and benefits for the Irish people. It is another important step on our road to recovery, and it is to be welcomed.

I draw the House's attention to the fact that the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Deputy Richard Bruton, along with EU partners in the Commission and from industry, yesterday launched an initiative to examine the filling of ICT jobs. It is estimated that there are 900,000 vacancies in this area across the EU; we know of 5,000 in this country. I welcome the decision by FireEye to develop 150 jobs in the Cork area, but there is much that can be done. There is huge potential for this country to be at the forefront in driving change and ensuring we have the computer, science, engineering and mathematics graduates to match the needs of industry. The initiative announced yesterday will work with industry and partners in education here and across Europe to ensure that individual skills are honed to match the needs of industry and that the education sector reacts. That will tie in appropriately with the discussion we will have on Thursday with the Minister for Education and Skills on the Education and Training Boards Bill. This is a welcome initiative because it is an area on which there is not enough focus in this House. Developing jobs is important, but this is real potential that we should maximise.