Vol. 544 No. 3
103 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the conclusions of the Forfás expert group report on future skills needs, presented in July 2001, need to be revisited; and if she will make a statement on the action being taken on each one of the ten main recommendations of this report. [24853/01]
The principal function of the expert group is to provide expert analysis on existing and forecasted skills needs in the economy. The group is independent in regard to its findings, conclusions and recommendations. The group reports on a periodic basis and regularly updates its analyses of the labour market and associated skills requirements. It has produced three major reports to date. The group's third report, published in July 2001, contains details of progress made on the recommendations contained in previous reports.
In consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science, I have recently issued a new mandate to the group providing for its continued existence for the next three years. Under its new mandate the expert group will continue with its practice of updating its findings in light of prevailing and forecasted conditions. I am providing resources from the national training fund to strengthen the group's analytical capacity in this area.
I understand that the ten recommendations referred to by the Deputy relate to those made by the group in its third report in respect of the information and communications technology, ICT, sector. It is important to note that the recommendations of the group were framed in the knowledge that there had been a downturn in the IT sector globally, and in the US in particular. However, the recent tragic events of 11 September and their aftermath have clearly created further uncertainty for the IT sector.
I understand that the expert group intends to review the assumptions underlying its recommendation on IT, having regard to the latest developments. The group also intends review its projections for construction skills in light of the latest developments in the economy.
