Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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111. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the extent to which her Department remains in contact with second and third level educational institutions with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of suitably qualified staff; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23076/18]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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My Department, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN), continuously monitors and advises the Government on future skills requirements and associated labour market issues that impact on the national potential for employment growth.

The EGFSN is an independent, non-statutory body, which includes representatives from the business community, trade unions, and a small number of Government Departments and agencies. My Department provides the Group with research and Secretariat support.

The education and training sector is represented on the EGFSN through the membership of the Department of Education and Skills, the Higher Education Authority, and SOLAS, Ireland's Further Education and Training Authority.

As required, the group also engages with education and training providers, in the context of individual projects analysing the skills needs of particular sectors or occupations, and in the development of associated measures to address identified needs. On completion of individual projects, the Group also liaises with the education and training sector on its findings and recommendations.

Furthermore, my Department, through the EGFSN Secretariat, also meets periodically with education and training providers, either through bilateral meetings or in the context of wider sector specific meetings, to discuss skills development issues, initiatives, as well as the progress of actions or initiatives recommended by the EGFSN.