Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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191. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if an assessment of the skills that may be required in the short to medium term in the context of Brexit has been carried out; if so, if the areas in which there may be potential skills shortages have been identified; if so, the areas in which skills shortages are foreseen; the specific actions that are being taken to mitigate against such shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32300/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) has recently published a report ‘Addressing the Skills Needs Arising from the Potential Trade Implications of Brexit.’  As Minister for Education and Skills, as well as Chair of the National Skills Council, I welcome this report as a important contribution to the Government’s preparations for Brexit.  The report identifies and, through its recommendations, seeks to address the skills needs for the Irish enterprise base arising from the potential trade implications of Brexit. Its focus is mainly on those skillsets associated with the facilitation of trade across international borders, and its diversification into and from new markets.  i.e. international management, sales, marketing, customer service/support, design and development, foreign languages and cultural awareness; and  skills associated with the facilitation of goods trade across international borders i.e. customs clearance, supply chain management, logistics, at both enterprise level, and in the wider Freight Transport, Distribution and Logistics sector. 

Informed by the findings of this study, my Department will ensure that education and training providers and agencies, work closely with industry to ensure that provision at Further Education and Higher Education levels responds appropriately to the skills needs identified in this report.