Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party)
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69. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to support third-level institutions to develop courses to support the quickly growing offshore wind sector and to support the development of a green hydrogen economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12863/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The growth of the renewable energy sector is critical to meeting our Climate Action targets, with wind energy at the heart of our ambition to cut CO2 emissions in the electricity sector. The Government is committed to ensuring that the education and training system is appropriately positioned to support the growth and development of the skills required to support the sector into the future.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report entitled Skills for the Zero Carbon Economy, published last November, sets out the demand for skilled workers required to support the growth of renewable energy generation over the coming 10 year period.  Engineers, electrical and electronics technicians, ecology and environmental experts among others will be required to support the development of this vital element of Ireland's move to a Zero Carbon Economy.

The national skills infrastructure provides a robust framework to support industry to meet skills needs.  While a structured response to the specific skills identified in the newly published report will be delivered over the coming period, the education and training sector is already working collaboratively with the wind industry to deliver on required skills needs across both further and higher education institutions.  These include programmes such as the “Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician Traineeship” which leads to a Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering and a new Apprenticeship being developed in the same area, leading to a Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Industrial Wind Turbine Engineering.   There are also renewable energy programmes funded under the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard+.

As part of Budget 2022, a total investment of €78 million for reskilling and upskilling was provided, including a €22 million Green Skills Action programme, together with continued investment in supporting businesses. Courses relating to renewable energy are highlighted as a priority in last December’s call for the next set of Springboard+ proposals, which are currently under assessment.