Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
513. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has conducted an analysis of the likely impact of technological automation on future employment opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36438/18]
View answerMy Department provides secretariat support to the Expert Group for Future Skills Needs (EGFSN). The EGFSN is an independent, non-statutory body that identifies the skills required by enterprise across occupations and sectors. In this capacity, the EGFSN is undertaking a report on ‘Skills for the Digital Economy’ as part of its 2018 work programme.
The ‘Skills for the Digital Economy’ report aims to assess the impact of digitalisation on job roles and sectors across the economy in Ireland and to identify potential enterprise and skills policy implications arising from this. The report is taking the medium-term outlook of five years. The study is the product of large amount of desk research combined with the creation of a quantitative model of the Irish economy. The report is also informed by a small number of interviews conducted with employers, representative bodies and employees. The report is currently underway and it is expected to be published by the EGFSN in Q4 2018.
