Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45988/23]
View answer385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to what extent he continues to liaise with the technical sector in education with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/23]
View answer387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45996/23]
View answer389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the individual areas in the academic or technical sectors showing the greatest requirement in respect of graduates; the extent to which he and his Department continue to respond to this need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45998/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 385, 387 and 389 together.
The tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the cognitive skills, the essential transversal skills, and the vocational and professional skills and competencies which will equip them for success in work and society.
Against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions, it is essential that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive, diversified supply of skills in Ireland.
Investing in further and higher education is an investment in innovation, creativity, and our future. In 2024, I am allocating over €4.1 billion to these sectors. In Budget 2024 I have secured an investment of €239 million for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science. With this significant new investment, I will be able to fund several major priorities for this Government, including the Housing for All and Climate Action plans. Steps being taken to meet these priorities include greater alignment of provision with priority skills needs, as well as further development of tertiary programmes.
This Budget also makes significant investment of €94 million to reskill and upskill the citizens of Ireland as we face challenges created by the pandemic, climate change and the move to an increasingly digital working environment.
The agility and flexibility of the tertiary system is underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.
Ireland's success in ensuring that those with qualifications from the tertiary system are meeting the economy's skills needs are evidenced by the results of the Higher Education Authority's national Graduate Outcomes Survey which shows that overall, 81.9% of graduates in 2021 were in employment nine months after graduation. It will be a priority to ensure a continued high level of responsiveness by the tertiary education system to the rapid pace of technological change, including the expected substantial impact of AI on the workforce.
