asked the Minister for Labour the steps being taken to meet the shortfall of trained personnel in computer programming and associated activities.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Computer Programming Personnel.
17.
A number of measures have been launched in the last 12 months on the recommendation of the Manpower Consultative Committee to alleviate shortages emerging for computer programmers and systems analysts.
Some 13 experienced systems analysts have been recruited to date from a campaign in the United Kingdom organised by the National Manpower Service last June. The manpower education programme launched last autumn provided an additional 346 student opportunities in courses leading to computer science qualifications over and above those studying in this area at the time of the programme. Of these 346 places, 127 are in short duration courses which will ensure an increased supply of qualified computer personnel this summer.
AnCO have also organised computer programmer courses in co-operation with computer manufacturers. AnCO currently plan to train 94 people in computer programming this year.
How many vacancies are there in computer-based jobs in industry?
The Manpower Consultative Committee asked the National Manpower Service to carry out a survey of computer employment in November 1979 and the following information summarises the number of open-market vacancies that would arise in the period from 1979 to December 1981. The number of vacancies for systems analysts at the end of 1979 was 51 and 145 vacancies would arise over the following two years. The corresponding figures for programmers are 53 and 181 and for junior trainee programmers the figures are 77 and 214.
The second part of the question refers to associated activities. Has the Minister's attention being drawn to the statement by Mr. Lawlor of the National Board for Science and Technology regarding the lack of trained personnel in electronics and related fields?
If the Deputy puts down another question I will give him details of what we have been doing in that regard. The Manpower Consultative Committee identified certain areas of shortage including the electronics industry.
What has been done to alleviate that shortage?
If the Deputy does not interrupt I will tell him. I referred to the recruitment campaign abroad that was carried out last year which alleviated some of the problems. Conversion courses and additional courses were provided in our third level educational institutions to provide extra people for the computer area I referred to and for the electronics and other related industries.
Can the Minister give any figures as to the number of vacancies in the electronics section?
If the Deputy wishes to put down a separate question I will give him that information or, if he wishes, I will supply him with those details. In fact, he can get some of the information in the recent Manpower publication.
Will the Minister supply the information to me?
I will.