Vol. 523 No. 5
158 Mr. Noonan asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has to ensure that Ireland has sufficient civil engineers to meet the demands imposed by the national development plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21626/00]
The Institution of Engineers of Ireland, IEI, published a discussion paper entitled "A Review of our Engineering Manpower Shortages at Degree and Technician Levels" in March 2000. This paper was subsequently considered by the expert group on future skills needs which concluded that the concerns of the IEI in relation to engineering manpower, other than in the area of civil engineering, had been addressed through the group's work.
On the specific issue of the demand for civil engineers, the IEI paper highlights the increase in demand that will arise in the implementation of the infrastructural developments set out in national development plan and the unprecedented level of activity in the Irish construction industry. The expert group on future skills needs has established a specialist sub-group to address the skills needs in the construction sector and the civil engineers will be considered in this context.
I have also met the IEI to discuss skills needs in the engineering sector. Arising out of these discussions, my Department is co-operating with the IEI on an initiative to promote engineering as a career and to attract more young people into the profession.
