Vol. 480 No. 8
129 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the estimated shortfall between supply of students completing courses in softwear engineering, engineering technician programmes and foreign languages in 1996-7; and the projected demand in 1999-2000. [15275/97]
131 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students entering courses for each of the academic years from 1996-7 to 1997-8 in software engineering, engineering technician programmes and foreign languages to proficiencies necessary for teleservices; the number of places on such courses; the number graduating from these courses; and his target for 1999-2000 in this regard. [15277/97]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 129 and 131 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the skills group established by Forfás and chaired by Dr. Frances Ruane identified skills needs in the areas of software engineering, engineering technicians and teleservices up to the end of the century. In relation to softeware engineering, an annual additional output of some 1,000 computing graduates was identified. In the area of engineering technicians, the skills group recommended the provision of an additional 750 technician places each year and in the area of languages for the teleservices sector, an additional 1,000 places.
In response to these identified shortages, a steering committee, chaired by the chairman of the Higher Eduation Authority, identified the most cost effective way of providing 1,000 additional software graduates and 750 technicians per annum. On receipt of the steering committee's report, the Government approved an additional £5 million for capital development in the 1997-8 academic year to fund an expansion in places available on high-technology courses.
