Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he will report on the work of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2546/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is the body appointed by the Irish Government to advise on aspects of education and training related to the future skills needs of the enterprise sector and the Irish economy. It carries out studies into the supply and demand for skills in individual business or industrial sectors and occupations. Its reports put forward recommendations for averting any anticipated mismatch.

Since its establishment in 1997, the Group published 39 reports, which have informed public policy. During 2006, it published seven reports:

Monitoring Ireland's Skills Supply — a detailed annual overview of the trends in Ireland's education and training output.

SME Management Development

Skills at Regional Level in Ireland

Careers Information and Labour Market Information in Ireland

International Digital Media Industry: Implications for Ireland

Report of the National Skills Conference — The Skills Needs of the Irish Economy to 2020

The National Skills Bulletin — a detailed annual overview of the Irish labour market.

During 2006 the EGFSN also undertook research at my request on the context for a National Skills Strategy. The research will be published shortly and will inform the implementation of a National Skills Strategy to address the skills needs of the economy to 2020.