Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Enterprise Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Ceisteanna (51, 77)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which vacancies remain to be filled throughout the various economic sectors; the extent to which particular causes have been identified as being central to the vacancy difficulty; the proposals to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52710/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which efforts are being made to facilitate sectors of industry having difficulty filling staff vacancies; the degree to which particular sectors have been severely affected by this issue; when it is expected that there might be a resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52709/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 77 together.

The past 18 months have been difficult for most businesses, and some sectors have been more severely impacted by public health restrictions and for a more prolonged period. Throughout the pandemic my Department and its enterprise agencies have engaged with and supported businesses within their remit, and in recent months there has been the start of a recovery in employment across the economy. According to the latest Labour Force Survey, published by the Central Statistics Office, on a seasonally adjusted basis employment increased by 212,200 in the year to the second quarter of 2021, with employment standing at 2.35 million.

102,600 of this increase was accounted for in the second quarter of 2021 alone. This came at a time when public health restrictions had started to ease and Ireland’s vaccination programme was being rolled out. This highlights the importance of the Government’s efforts to help workers and businesses throughout the past 18 months, especially those wage supports which helped businesses maintain a link to their staff.

In its ongoing engagement with enterprise, my Department and its enterprise agencies have nevertheless been made aware of labour shortages in certain sectors. My Department has worked to signpost businesses towards the training and labour market activation programmes and supports, available through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, its agencies, and the Department of Social Protection, in order to address their staffing needs.

Some of these staffing shortfalls are due to pre-existing structural shifts in the economy, which have been accelerated by the impact of the pandemic. The twin decarbonisation and digital transitions, and their associated behavioural changes, are significantly altering the economy and will continue to do so in the coming years, leading to permanent changes in our labour market and business models. As we recover from the pandemic not all previous jobs will return- but embracing these transitions will also open up substantial new opportunities for businesses and jobs, as well as potential skills mismatches as these opportunities emerge.

The Government’s Economic Recovery Plan, published earlier this year, commits to supporting the transition of Ireland’s economy and workforce to the new Green and Digital economies. It has an overarching objective of having 2.5 million at work by 2024, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. It aims to realise this goal through ongoing support for people and businesses in making a full return to work. The Plan commits to further strengthening Ireland’s skills framework to ensure skills mismatches are minimised, and people are supported in securing and remaining in sustainable and quality employment, in areas of identified skills needs for business.

As the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is phased out, helping people back to work and reducing the risk of labour market scarring and entrenched long term unemployment is also a priority. This will be achieved through a combination of significant upskilling and reskilling opportunities and increased labour market activation interventions through Pathways to Work 2021-2025. A jobs led recovery will also be supported through creating the right environment for employment creation, through measures to boost the resilience, agility, competitiveness and innovation of enterprises across the economy.

This will also be supported through ensuring a balanced and inclusive recovery, through strategic investment in infrastructure and reforms that enhance our long-term capacity for growth, balanced regional development and by improving living standards. In moving towards the goal of having 2.5 million people in work by 2024, the focus will be on recovering differently, with more productive, innovative, resilient and importantly more secure and valued employment across the economy.

Barr
Roinn