Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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3323. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in the context of the Killarney Innovation Centre providing spaces for emerging tech enterprises, how his Department is supporting the development of local skills in areas such as AI, data science and software development, to ensure that the region has a workforce that meets the demands of these industries. [40912/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Government fully recognises the critical importance of digital and technology skills for Ireland’s economic future and the welfare of society. We are currently working to develop an updated National Digital Strategy, where skills, and research and innovation, will continue to feature prominently, reflecting a whole-of-government commitment to preparing the workforce for the digital and AI-enabled economy, and supporting research and innovation, in collaboration with enterprise.

My officials have also commenced preparatory work for the first Technology Skills of the Future Roadmap. It will focus on specialist digital skills. The second roadmap is expected to focus on skills for digital transformation. This is something which we believe will continue to support a future-focused approach to supporting our workforce.

We have the benefit of a strong, diverse skills ecosystem that is designed to support enterprise at all stages of skills development, with offerings from higher and further education, full time, part time, micro-credentials, as well as targeted supports for businesses such as Skills to Advance led by SOLAS, or from industry collaboration with Skillnet Ireland. Skillnet Ireland via their training academies and networks offers a range of enterprise led upskilling and reskilling opportunities for digital specialists as well as those leading digital transformation.

We also support regional development by supporting a network of Regional Skills Fora across Ireland. These provide a link between enterprise and education supports, ensuring that the needs of regional enterprises across Ireland are met as they grow and sustain their businesses.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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3324. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills given that the Killarney Innovation Centre aims to foster collaboration between SMEs and innovators, if there are any current or upcoming initiatives to strengthen the partnership between local universities, colleges and innovation hubs in Kerry to facilitate knowledge sharing and innovation. [40913/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I am of the view that collaboration is at the core of our successful tertiary education system. Close relationships between enterprise, education and training providers, and the innovation and research ecosystem will enable us to take the next leap forward in building a thriving economy and society.

Additionally, I firmly believe in the transformational regional impact of Technological Universities across the country, and this belief is evident through the prioritisation of investment in Technological Universities in the National Development Plan, which recognises their role in delivering a strong economy supported by enterprise, innovation and skills.

Munster Technological University (MTU) was established under the Technological Universities Act 2018. The MTU Kerry South Campus is home to the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), whilst also offering a range of biological and pharmaceutical laboratory facilities.

My Department recently approved the construction of a new STEM facility on the MTU Kerry North Campus under the Public Private Partnership Programme (PPP), and construction on this is due to commence shortly.

Specific funding streams targeting the strengthening of partnerships between Universities and Innovation hubs include the TU Research Innovation to Support Enterprise (TU RISE) programme, which will support and enable engagement with local and regional enterprises and community stakeholders in the coming years. MTU has been allocated €14.6m through TU Rise, and this funding supports a specific workplan aimed to deliver a strengthened regional enterprise research and innovation ecosystem.

In addition to the key role played by Munster Technological University in supporting partnerships in Kerry, my Department also supports the South West Regional Skills Forum, which fosters collaboration between employers and the education and training system to address the evolving skills needs of the regions. This collaborative approach ensures that national skills policies and training programmes are informed by local needs, and that employers have access to the resources necessary to develop their workforce.

My Department will continue to work to strengthen partnerships in Kerry and the wider South West regions, in order to ensure that our skills and innovation ecosystems remains agile in order to support Ireland's continued competitiveness.