Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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68. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he continues to identify and meet the demand in the workplace, through the higher education sector, with particular reference to identification of the areas now most urgently requiring employees; his views on whether a sufficient supply of appropriately qualified graduates continues to be available to meet those demands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27035/24]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I have raised this question on a number of occasions before and I believe it is important. I am asking about the extent to which an adequate supply of graduates or suitably qualified postgraduates are available to meet the demands of the workplace at the moment and as we go forward.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Durkan for this very important question. The tertiary education system plays an essential role in ensuring our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from the apprenticeship models are equipped with the essential vocational, professional and other skills and competencies that will equip them for success in work. The agility and flexibility of the tertiary system is underscored by its responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives that require whole-of-government efforts and collaboration. Those concerted efforts aim to improve a balance between skills, demand and supply.

As Deputy Durkan will be aware, the Department has made significant progress since its establishment to increase the number of places in higher education programmes in the areas of acute skills needs, and this work is still ongoing.

There have been significant investments in additional provisions across multiple programmes and disciplines, including landmark agreements for additionality in medicine and other healthcare disciplines in the North and this jurisdiction. On construction skills, the Department works with partners such as SOLAS, the National Construction Training Campus, education and training boards and professional representative bodies to address supply. There is a significant expansion of relevant courses, including apprenticeships as well as the development of new provision to address innovations such as modern methods of construction. A key priority of mine and the Department is to continue the important work with the Government to ensure we meet workforce demand across many sectors.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I note the often-sighted notices to the effect that various organisations are hiring, which is repeated many times in all aspects of employment all over the country. Having regard to that demand right now, to what extent is it possible to meet the challenge of supply and demand as it stands? If that can be achieved, what will it be like in a couple of years? Can we plan for that now in order to improve supply?

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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That is a very broad question. To be fair to Deputy Durkan, he is asking me to look into a crystal ball. If I was looking into the crystal ball of the Minister, Deputy McGrath, on his way out today, he basically said that economic growth will continue on the trajectory it is on for the next couple of years. Our population will continue to grow and we will require a number of things. We will require a level of upskilling and migration - some people in this House and outside believe that is a bad thing. I believe it is a good thing. It makes the country far more diverse and makes us a more attractive place for people to come to. In doing that, higher education institutes along with ETBs and colleges will have to be prepared not only to provide courses for those already resident in the country but also for those who want to make Ireland their home. That will be a challenge. Workforce planning with the Minister, Deputy Burke's Department, through the likes of Enterprise Ireland and the IDA, is already under way. If there are specific areas which Deputy Durkan is worried about or specific sectors of the economy, he might give me the details and we can provide exact information with regard to what we are doing sector by sector.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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I had in mind looking in the most positive way into that crystal ball, with a view to identifying the most likely outcomes in the situation that is presenting, and on that basis making a good stab or guess - more than a guess, in fact - at what is likely to happen in the future, given the trends.

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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To use the example of health professions needed, we have done more than make a good stab at that. A lot of positive work has taken place on an all-island basis with all of the universities across the island, making sure that those who will be needed for various different therapies and disciplines in medicine can be trained on an all-island basis and be supported by the Government in this jurisdiction. That is important. Further work needs to be done. The Deputy will have heard the Taoiseach speaking in the Dáil about access for people with disabilities and the therapists needed. There is a challenge for higher education institutions to take in more people. We are confident it will be possible to take in more people in various disciplines in collaboration with the HSE to make sure they are trained on wards in hospitals and get proper placements. There is a body of work in that regard. Across the range of the economy, this is the bread and butter of the National Skills Council, together with my Department, SOLAS, ETBs and universities. It is what they look at and they try to do what the Deputy did, which is look into the crystal ball to see where we will be in 2030 or 2035 and make the best guesstimate for that.