Written Answers. - Skill Shortages.
Michael Ferris
Question:
131
Mr. Ferris
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she will outline in detail her recent efforts to fill labour shortages in the electronics, craft skills and the tourism industries.
[12142/98]
The Government is fully aware of the importance of each sector of the economy having available to it an adequate pool of personnel, equipped with the appropriate skills, if it is to develop to its full potential and contribute to our overall economic growth. Since taking up office, the Government has taken a broad range of relevant initiatives. These include:
The establishment of a new business, education and training partnership, embodying an expert group on future skills needs, to develop strategies, at the highest levels, to tackle the issues of skills needs, manpower forecasting and education for industry and business and to identify the practical steps required to secure and maintain a competitive advantage in the area of skills.
The development of a skills awareness programme the activities of which, since May 1997, has undertaken the following:
—the production and distribution to schools of a skills brochure and videos on software and technicians for school leavers,
—a series of media background briefings,
—developing anIrish Times supplement on technicians,
—organising information briefings and a stand for the FÁS Opportunities 1998 exhibition.
—a video on the teleservices industry for launch shortly and distribution to schools.
The allocation, shortly after entering office, of an extra £5 million to commence the expansion of student intake in computing and technician courses, with a view to achieving an increased annual output of 1,000 computer graduates and 750 technicians.
The establishment of a £250 million education technology investment fund.
The allocation of £1.2 million to FÁS to expand its provision in the software and electronics areas.
Extra provision for FÁS to meet increasing apprenticeship numbers — numbers have increased from some 3,000 three years ago to a record 5,500 in 1997.
In addition to the foregoing, FÁS has undertaken an extensive promotional campaign to encourage Irish-born craftspersons, currently working in the United Kingdom, to consider returning to work in Ireland. This campaign has been very successful, with an estimated 5,000 returning home in 1997 and a further 3,000 projected to return in 1998.
Other initiatives aimed at encouraging labour supply and meeting skills needs include:
Increasing the threshold for the payment of PRSI from £80 to £100, in order to make it more attractive for people to take up lower paid jobs.
Introducing a tax initiative for the long-term unemployed, which benefits both the employee and the employer.
Introducing a scheme of tax relief for fees paid in respect of certain approved courses in information technology and certain foreign languages where the cost of these fees is a minimum of £250 and subject to a maximum qualifying level of £1,000.
I would point out that my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recretion, Dr. McDaid, has responsibility for employment in the tourism industry.
