Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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157. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if he has had engagement with Government colleagues regarding the need to embed skills for a circular economy such as design, repair and refurbishment in national skills strategies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30072/25]

Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I recognise the need to embed skills for a circular economy such as design, repair and refurbishment in national skills strategies.

The National Reuse and Repair Network established by the Environmental Protection Agency is playing a key role in bringing together public bodies and national organisations to facilitate knowledge sharing and engagement to ensure that reuse and repair skills are building within the population, and opportunities exist to develop skills and employment, that barriers to reuse and repair are removed and are standard practice in priority areas.

The second Whole of Government Circular Economy Strategy is currently being finalised. I intend to initiate a public consultation on the draft Strategy in the coming weeks which will include targets for specific sectors that will drive reductions in material resource consumption and the use of non-recyclable materials, in addition to increased levels of repair and re-use of goods, products and materials.

The Circularity Gap Report for Ireland published last year provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of our national material flows and level of circularity. The report also finds that despite near-full employment and receptiveness to change in some sectors, skills gaps will need to be bridged, and labour shortages filled in pivotal sectors for advancing circularity.

The Gap Report recommends that we develop a new, holistic strategy for green jobs, building on the Green Skills 2030 Strategy by SOLUS and the National Skills Strategy 2025, in addition to encouraging participation in lifelong learning programmes and investments in upskilling and reskilling programmes to boost circular jobs.

My Department, in finalising the second Circular Economy Strategy, will continue to engage with other Departments and Agencies to ensure that an ‘across Government’ approach is taken in identifying the skills needs and setting measurable actions to ensure continued investment in skills for the circular economy.