Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation | If this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce

QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education; Research; Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; if so, his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

Against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying changes in the world brought about by digital and green transitions taking place globally, it is essential more than ever that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and the skills needs of the labour market and society. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland’s National Skills Strategy (published in May 2023), was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive and diversified supply of skills in Ireland.

Our tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that all our graduates are equipped with the essential skills for success in work now and into the future, and this includes the transversal skills to complement vocational and professional skills required in the workplace.

As regard to skills shortages in specific sectoral areas such as health, social care or veterinary medicine, my department is strongly committed to addressing same and ensuring provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective.      

The provision of health and social care programmes is complex and involves many different parts of the system. It is important that any increases in places are done in a sustainable way with an evidence-based understanding of the future needs of the health system.

I am committed to working with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and the Minister for Education to progress this work.

Regarding Veterinary Medicine, I am continuing to work with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on progressing additionality in Veterinary Medicine provision in higher education.

However, in today’s rapidly changing world, learning, upskilling, and reskilling should continue throughout the life course to become, for all individuals and businesses, a social and economic investment into the future allowing to achieve economic success in a just and sustainable way. To that end, we are collectively placing renewed emphasis on lifelong learning as low participation in upskilling is undermining Ireland’s potential to improve its economic competitiveness.

As highlighted in the OECD Review there is substantial provision of lifelong learning opportunities across the tertiary education system in Ireland. Opportunities are provided through Springboard+, the Human Capital Initiative, Skills to Advance and through the upskilling and reskilling training provided by Skillnet Ireland, the workforce development agency of the Government.

My department, together with our partners across the skills ecosystem, is working incessantly to further enhance learning options and supports available to people and business, to ensure no one is left behind and that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, as the right skills are crucial for personal and professional growth, competitiveness, and success in an ever-changing world.