Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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73. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he has taken to ensure that regional universities and technological universities and institutions will be equipped to train the offshore renewable energy workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The growth of offshore renewable energy is critical to meeting our climate action targets. The Government is committed to ensuring that the education and training system, including both higher and further education providers, is appropriately positioned to support the development of the skills required by this sector.

In this context, my Department is participating on the cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Energy Taskforce, with a focus on the workforce and skills required for offshore wind in Ireland.

My Department, in collaboration with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications and the Greentech Skillnet, is leading an analysis of the skills and workforce requirements for offshore wind, through the preparation of a detailed skills assessment, and the establishment of an Expert Advisory Group. These actions will ensure that future output from the tertiary sector is aligned with projected workforce requirements, is regionally appropriate, and is informed by sectoral, Departmental and industry experts.

At present, my Department supports a number of initiatives to meet skills needs for the green transition. Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative support a number of courses with a focus on offshore renewable energy, including a Postgraduate Diploma in Wind Energy at Dundalk IT and a Masters of Engineering in Energy Infrastructure at Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest. Building on this, the HCI Pillar 1 Call 2023 invited proposals for funding for a range of areas, including those related to offshore renewables – this includes Planners for Offshore Renewable Energy; Marine Ecologists; and Grid Engineers. The call closed on February 23, 2023 and applications are under evaluation.

My Department will continue to work closely with relevant partners in the education sector and industry to understand and deliver the skills, training, and education requirements for offshore renewables.