Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

551. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider locating the proposed physical national skills training hub for offshore wind in Cahersiveen, south Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44565/26]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

My Department is leading a multi-faceted approach to build the skills base needed for a successful Offshore Renewable Energy Sector. The Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan, (The Plan) (2024) identified skills shortages in 33 roles required for the development of offshore wind and the measures to address these.

To actively drive this Plan forward and encourage careers in this sector, my Department has established an Expert Advisory Group (EAG) comprising industry and tertiary sector representatives to advise on these needs. Working with this group and with ongoing input from the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment and Enterprise Ireland, my officials are working on the development of a National Skills Hub for Offshore Wind.

Its first phase, an Online Career Pathway Platform is due for delivery in Q4 2026 and will focus on making career routes and the skills needed clearer for both industry and individual workers.

Given the impending scaling-up of the offshore wind energy industry and associated skills and workforce need, the second iteration of the National Skills Hub for Offshore wind will be a single point of contact within a physically staffed office. Recognising the location of existing training provision and commercial and state infrastructural investment in the region, it is proposed to situate the National Offshore Wind Training Hub in the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI) in Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork. NMCI will work in partnership with Cork Education and Training Board, Munster Technological University and University College Cork. Satellite partners will be located throughout the country, building on existing program delivery. This location and partnership was outlined in an announcement by An Taoiseach Micheal Martin in July 2025.