The Technology Foresight Ireland report commissioned by the Irish Council for Science, Technology and Innovation, ICSTI, in 1999 identified the falling numbers taking physics and chemistry as "potentially the biggest long-term threat to Ireland's ability to develop as a knowledge-based society". The expert group on future skills needs, established by Forfás, has been monitoring the supply and demand position for skilled personnel in a number of industrial sectors. Its most recent report stated that there are skills shortages in some areas, including computer scientists and technologists for the information technology sector and graduates for the pharmaceutical and chemicals sectors. The expert group is of the opinion that growth in the high technology business sectors will increase the overall demand of science and engineering graduates. The expert group drew attention to the increased funding being made available through Science Foundation Ireland and the Higher Education Authority, HEA, to support advanced research. This will have the effect of increasing the need for researchers with a PhD qualification and the expert group recommended that national policy should aim to increase substantially the output of doctorates, particularly in science and engineering.
Data from surveys exist in the "First Destination of Award Recipients in Higher Education" reports, compiled by the Higher Education Authority and published annually. The surveys are conducted six to nine months after completion of studies. I understand the Minister of Education and Science is replying to a similar question and will refer to this data. In addition, FÁS, the national training and employment authority, is available to assist science graduates seeking work.
