Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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328. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the plans to expand semiconductor related education and training pathways, including apprenticeships, post leaving certificate programmes and postgraduate research, in order to meet the workforce requirements of advanced chip manufacturing facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54157/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has a thriving semiconductor and microelectronic cluster that directly employs over 20,000 with 6,500 in highly skilled technical roles and another 3,000 in R&D. The Semi-conductor Strategy “Silicon Island” published last May outlines Ireland’s ambition to become a central player in the European and global semiconductor ecosystem and that its ability to do so will depend on access to a diverse, rich base of talent and capability.

Our tertiary sector develops a highly educated workforce, with strong expertise in ICT, engineering, physics, and materials science. Universities across Ireland’s third-level sector offer comprehensive, specialised courses in semiconductor-related fields, feeding into the industry. Industry and academia collaborate closely to meet the skills (and research) needs of industry and develop the workforce.

The MIDAS Skillnet and other Skillnet Business Networks, including Technology Ireland ICT Skillnet and Robotics Skillnet, continuously update their industry-specific training and upskilling supports. For instance, the MIDAS Skillnet offers semiconductor and electronics skills training courses range from Embedded Systems to Analog & Digital IC to Electro Magnetic Compatibility training and from Python to Formal Verification Essentials to high-end management courses.

To understand how the industry’ skills needs will evolve in the medium to long term, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (DFHERIS is a member of the EGFSN whose Secretariat is based in the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment) is commissioning a Study on Future Skills needs of the industry. This work takes place in parallel to the development of DFHERIS’ Roadmap for Technology Skills of the Future which will focus on specialist and non-specialists skills for digital skills.