John Perry
Ceist:98 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans she has for a review of the construction industry sector with regard to manpower or skills shortages. [7193/01]
Written Answers. - Skill Shortages.
The expert group on future skills needs, EGFSN, established a sub-group, chaired by a member of staff of my Department, to examine labour and skills issues in the construction sector. The sub-group includes members of my Department, the Department of Education and Science, the Department of the Environment and Local Government, ICTU, FÁS and the Construction Industry Federation.
The sub-group is focusing on the existing supply of, and demand for, management skills, professional construction related skills, craft skills and non-craft skills – semi-skilled labour – over the term of the national development plan. Based on an in depth analysis of projected construction sector skills requirements and on construction related education and training provision, the sub-group is identifying areas where there may be an imbalance between supply and demand, and is formulating recommendations aimed at addressing the identified issues.
The construction skills sub-group expects to present its findings to the EGFSN in the near future.