Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 46: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will report on the progress of the national skills strategy; if she will ensure that the implementation plan of the national skills strategy will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40768/09]

Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to address the skills shortages within the economy over the next five to ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40903/09]

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the steps she is taking to address the issues highlighted by an expert group on future skills needs in its annual review of employment and skills here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40901/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 54 and 89 together.

The National Skills Strategy (NSS) provides details of an ambitious vision for the skills profile in Ireland in 2020. It contains a long-term target for some 500,000 workers to increase their levels of educational attainment by at least one level of the National Framework of Qualifications. This remains the long-term objective. However, the immediate national priority is to provide, to the greatest extent possible and with limited resources, for the needs of the increasing numbers of unemployed.

An Inter-Departmental Committee was established in February 2008 with a view to drawing up an Implementation Plan for the NSS. The drafting of the Implementation Plan is at an advanced stage. However, the changed economic circumstances will certainly have an impact on the implementation of the NSS. The Implementation Plan is currently being updated to reflect the changed circumstances which include a significant increase in the unemployed.

Significant progress has been made both in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and in the Department of Education and Science towards providing additional training opportunities for the unemployed so as to increase their potential for re-employment. These new initiatives to reflect the changed employment situation will also be addressed in the Implementation Plan.

In addition, a recently appointed innovation taskforce will advise Government on options to increase innovation and entrepreneurship and to maximise the benefits of investment in science, technology and research. It is vital that activation initiatives currently being planned fit into the overall framework and targets of the NSS and Active Labour Market Policies. In addition, resources must be targeted and prioritised to maximum effect across the education sector.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) advises the Irish Government on current and future skills needs of the economy and on other labour market issues that impact on Ireland's enterprise and employment growth. It has a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and met.

In addition to identification of any need for policy or structural changes over time and being aware of:

associated operational programmes to meet national skills requirements;

the commitment to progressively promote greater recourse to learning throughout life; and

capitalising on instructive developments internationally, the group is also mandated to discharge a central role in ensuring that labour market needs for skilled workers are anticipated and provided for.

The EGFSN reports to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Education and Science.

Representatives of all publicly funded education and training providers are represented on the group. In addition the group ensures that copies of its reports are sent to individual providers. EGFSN reports provide a valuable input to the development and amendment of course curricula to allow education and training provision to meet current and future skills needs.