asked the Minister for Labour if a decision has been made to date regarding the publication of the sub-committee report of the Manpower Consultative Committee on skill shortages, and if he will outline the present shortage of skilled trades people in respect of each of the trades mentioned in his reply to parliamentary Question No. 238 of 15 February, 1979.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Trade Skill Shortages.
3.
I intend to have a report published on the activities of the Manpower Consultative Committee during 1979. The report will be available in a month and will cover the activities of the occupational shortages sub-committee. It will also indicate the progress on measures taken to overcome the shortages.
The information on occupational shortages given in my reply to Question No. 238 of 15 February was continuously up-dated as a result of the activities of the National Manpower Service last summer to overcome occupational shortages. Taking account of the inquiries by the service and the recruitment campaign launched in the United Kingdom to attract highly qualified and skilled manpower to Ireland a best estimate of existing shortages would be:
|
Occupations |
Estimated Shortage |
|
Maintenance and Turner Fitters |
200 |
|
Toolmakers |
105 |
|
Mechanical and Electrical Draughtsmen |
60 |
|
Electronic Technicians |
90 |
|
Systems Analysts |
50 |
|
Chemical Technologists |
20 |
|
Electrical/Electrical Engineers |
100 |
|
Mechanical/Production Engineers |
160 |
Deputies will appreciate the considerable difficulties involved in estimating shortages. For example these figures will be affected by the rate of industrial growth this year.
The occupation of welder, short course, was not included in the recruitment campaign as it was considered that shortages could be alleviated by appropriate short-term courses. The National Manpower Service is now carrying out a survey of computer employers to establish current employment levels and demand for computer occupations.
Can the Minister give any indication of the trend in respect of the shortages in these skills? For instance, has there been an increase or a decrease in the number of shortages since 5 February 1979?
Starting with 1977 which was the time the Coalition were leaving office and when there was no employment, the employment situation improved from there on and by the end of 1978 the pattern had changed so much that shortages in skilled labour began to be identified. Throughout 1979 the pattern was that there was a growth in shortages of skilled workers. The projection is that we will need many more skilled people in the future than we needed in the past.
The only man who was creating jobs was sacked.
That is a very helpful contribution from the Deputy who, I am sure, would not be interested in the work place.
Not after the Kerry joke last week.