Industry in Ireland today is experiencing unprecedented rates of growth, particularly in the higher technology sectors. The employment potential in these sectors presents a wide range of employment options with good pay and conditions, and long-term prospects for school-leavers.

The manufacturing sector in Ireland is undergoing profound change and explosive growth, especially in the higher value-added sectors. Over the past number of years Ireland has had net employment growth in this sector, while the rest of Europe experienced declining employment numbers.

The electronics and software sectors will, over the coming years, have greatly increasing demands for technicians educated to national certificate or diploma level. The relevant institutes of technology courses equip school-leavers with the necessary skills to secure well-paid skilled positions within these fast-moving and exciting industries. The long-term opportunities for career development and promotion for electronics and software technicians are excellent.

The larger well-known multinationals, such as Intel, Hewlett Packard and 3Com will continue to recruit skilled staff. In addition, very many Irish-owned companies such as Eurologic Systems, Connaught Electronics and Trinity Biotech offer excellent employment opportunities here in Ireland as they continue to expand.

Increasingly, the emerging worldwide technological revolution is expanding demand for qualified technicians and other staff for the established and emerging fast-growing high-tech companies. The United States is already experiencing substantial shortages of qualified technicians. Increasing US and other multinational investment in Ireland will ensure continued demand for skilled employees.

Global demand for skilled employees in the high-tech sectors has grown strongly and significant demand will underpin the long-term prospects of the high-tech sector in Ireland. Irish-owned companies also offer excellent employment prospects with their expansion into international markets.

The Government is determined to ensure that Ireland continues to meet the skills needs of our indigenous and multinational sectors. To that end, we have in place a £250-million Education Technology Investment Fund to expand education and training places for the emerging jobs. We also have an ongoing high-powered review of our future skills needs to anticipate the needs of the future.