Written Answers. - Skill Shortages.
Ivor Callely
Ceist:
86
Mr. Callely
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
the areas that have been identified as having a shortage of personnel; the measures that have been taken to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21285/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
99
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
her views on the degree to which the requirements of industry can be met in respect of skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21866/00]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
100
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment
if she has satisfied herself that an adequate supply of labour exists to meet the requirements of industry with particular reference to high tech industries; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
[21867/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, 99 and 100 together.
Surveys of employers' vacancies have been carried out in 1996, 1997 and 1998 by the ESRI on behalf of FÁS and Forfás. The latest published survey refers to the position in late 1998-early 1999. It shows that at the time of the survey, 27% of enterprises had vacancies and 24% of enterprises had vacancies that they found difficult to fill. Such problems were much more common among larger firms. Half of all large firms had difficult to fill vacancies. There were 53,600 vacancies in total – a rate of 6% of employment in the firms surveyed.
In terms of types of vacancies and the severity of shortages, the most severe shortages were for computer and engineering specialists. Skilled craftspersons were in short supply and lower skilled occupations in the services sector also showed significant unfilled vacancies.
The 1999-00 data have not yet been published, however, I understand that preliminary analysis of the data shows that percentage of firms with vacancies has risen to 31%, and the vacancy rate to 6.5%. As with the previous survey, vacancies have been found to exist throughout the economy at all skills levels.
It can be concluded therefore that Ireland is experiencing skills and labour shortages in certain sectors-areas. This finding is not unexpected given our record rates of economic growth and continuing falls in unemployment consequential upon this. It is an indication of success in implementing a range of interrelated economic, structural and labour market policies.
The Government is pursuing a wide range of measures to ensure that the economy can continue grow. These measures are aimed at both increasing the labour supply and improving productivity. Key policies being pursued include increases in supply of training and education places to meet identified and emergent skills shortages, as set out in the second report of the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs; continuing investment in the apprenticeship system to meet increasing demand for training and reduce waiting times in the provision of off the job training; greater emphasis on capability building and innovation by Enterprise Ireland, aimed at increasing the productivity and competitiveness of indigenous enterprises; measures to encourage increased participation in the labour force as set out in the National Employment Action Plan 2000; increasing numbers of work permits issued and institution of the working visas system for designated categories of workers; establishment of a task force on lifelong learning within the framework of the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness. The taskforce is considering measures required to improve access to learning and upskilling opportunities and aims to bring proposals to Government early next year; and an institution of the national training fund to provide increased resources for upskilling.
I propose to introduce legislation to establish the fund before year end.
Question No. 87 taken with Question No. 69.
