Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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85. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to expand the EGFSN to include the HGV mechanics in view of the fact there appears to be a shortage of this skilled labour here. [42088/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs is an independent, non-statutory body, whose role is to carry out research, analysis and horizon scanning in relation to emerging skills requirements at thematic and sectoral levels. Its follow up work involves engagement with the Department of Education and Skills, Higher Education Authority, SOLAS and other relevant bodies to produce an agreed action plan to address the skills needs identified.

The Group has a broad sectoral membership, including representatives from the business community, education and training providers, trade unions, and a small number of Government Departments and agencies. 

I assume the deputy is asking for a commitment that the Expert Group will examine and make proposals to deal with shortages of HGV mechanics.

The Expert Group undertook a study of the demand for skills in the wider freight transport, distribution and logistics sector in 2015, in which the role of vehicle mechanics and technicians, while not prevalent in numbers (c.1% of total staff in companies surveyed for the study), was highlighted as important to the sector’s performance and quality of service.

The Group made a number of recommendations for addressing the broader skills needs in the sector, and thereby addressing its poor image, and issues around retention and lack of career pathways. These included the development of national occupation standards, new apprenticeship and traineeship programmes, improved training provision, enhancing awareness of the sector, and establishment of a Sectoral Skills Engagement Group.

Implementation of these recommendations was handed over to the sector, its company base, and education and training providers, on publication of the report. The implementation of Expert Group reports is subject to regular review, and should serious issues persist, and with the cooperation of the sector, the Group is willing to re-examine its skills needs.