Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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212. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the role his Department has in co-ordinating Departments' responses to the risks outlined in the national assessment report on risks, particularly in view of the fact that they apply to the risks outlined in the report in relation to human capital and skills needs and in view of the fact they are deemed to be issues of growing importance in the report; the areas the Government will address; and the way in which it will address same. [39103/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Risk Assessment process was initiated in 2013 when the Government announced it would publish annually a National Risk Assessment (NRA), as a process to identify the strategic risks that Ireland faces over the short, medium and long term. The Department of the Taoiseach co-ordinates the preparation of the NRA supported by a Steering Group of Government Departments and Agencies. The first report was published in 2014 and the fourth most recently on 29 August 2017. The National Risk Assessment process involves several stages, including collaboration with Government Departments and Agencies, and open public consultation. This exercise is not intended to replicate or displace the detailed risk management that is already conducted within government departments and agencies. Nor does it impact on the responsibilities of Government Ministers and Departments to consider and implement actions to mitigate risks arising in policy areas under their remit. Rather, it aims to provide a systematic overview of strategic risks facing the country and to assist in ensuring appropriate prevention and mitigation measures are introduced by the relevant Departments/Agencies as needed.

My Department launched the National Skills Strategy 2025 in January 2016. The Strategy identifies Ireland’s current skills profile, provides a strategic vision and specific objectives for Ireland’s future skills requirements, and sets out a road map for how the vision and objectives can be achieved across the education and training sector. With over 140 Actions, the Strategy sets out the Government's commitment to improving and using skills for sustainable economic growth and outlines how we can develop a well-skilled, adaptable workforce. Implementation of the Strategy is a cross-cutting issue , which requires the co-operation of many different stakeholders. In addition to the responsibilities of Government Departments and agencies, employers and individuals also have their own parts to play in the implementation of the strategy.

Included in the actions in the Strategy is the creation of a new National Skills Council. The Council, which was established in April 2017, will oversee research and advise on prioritisation and delivery of responses to identified skills needs. Skills information from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in DBEI (EGFSN), the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in Solas (SLMRU) and the Regional Skills Fora will feed into the work of the Council.