Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 April 2017
152. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the areas that have been highlighted as having skills shortages by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (details supplied); his plans to tackle these skills shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16853/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe work of the SLMRU has been invaluable in identifying the existing and future skills needs of a number of sectors of the Irish economy including sectors such as IT, manufacturing, engineering, sales and the green economy.
The outputs from the SLMRU have supported and will continue to support the development of a number of strategies that have been implemented to address these skills needs in the various sectors. These strategies include the ongoing SOLAS Further Education and Training Strategy, the National Skills Strategy 2025, and The Action Plan for Education 2016-2019.
The data from the SLMRU will also feed in to the work of the soon to be established National Skills Council. By using robust skills data from sources such as the SLMRU, the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and the Regional Skills Fora, the Council will oversee research and provide advice on the prioritisation of identified skills needs and how to secure the delivery of identified needs across the Irish economy.
