Vol. 506 No. 5
41 Mrs. Barnes asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which FÁS is encouraging 10,000 more workers here; who these workers are; if they are Irish emigrants; if not, the inducements, if any, FÁS is offering these people to come to work here; if they are being offered housing, travel allowances and other assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15765/99]
77 Mr. D'Arcy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on ESRI regarding the policy of FÁS going on missions abroad to encourage 10,000 more workers to take up jobs here which, in some instances, do not yet exist but are being sought by the IDA and other agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15764/99]
86 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the position taken by the ESRI on the policy of FÁS going on missions abroad to encourage 10,000 more workers to take up jobs here which, in some instances, do not yet exist but are being sought by the IDA and other agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15863/99]
87 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the way in which FÁS is encouraging 10,000 more workers into this country; if these workers are Irish emigrants; if not, the inducements, if any, FÁS is offering these people to come to work here; if they are being offered housing, travel allowances and other assistance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15864/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 77, 86 and 87 together.
A number of recent reports have suggested that emerging skills and labour shortages could potentially restrict the growth of the Irish economy over the coming years. As part of a response to addressing the skills needs of the economy, FÁS has launched a campaign to attract overseas workers to Ireland. The campaign is focused on highlighting the job opportunities available in certain key sectors which are experiencing the most acute skills shortages at present.
FÁS's objective is to build up a database of over 10,000 suitably qualified jobseekers who are interested in working in Ireland. The campaign will be conducted in the UK, Germany, France, the Benelux countries, the USA and Canada and is aimed at Irish nationals and other EU citizens.
FÁS will facilitate the matching of these jobseekers with Irish-based firms seeking to carry out recruitment. FÁS is not offering any inducements, allowances or other financial assistance to encourage people to work in Ireland.
The FÁS campaign is just one approach to addressing the emerging skills shortages in the economy. I am aware of the ESRI's comments on the campaign and I appreciate that there may be a concern that attracting additional workers to Ireland may exacerbate current difficulties in areas such as housing. I am also aware that it can be argued that the consequences of acting to address skills shortages may outweigh these concerns in terms of the potential to continue to promote economic growth and improved living standards.
