308. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection if the jobseeker register data could be mined to identify and inform suitable candidates of conversion opportunities in ICT; if her Department, as recommended in the Forfás report of November 2013 on addressing future demand for high-level ICT skills, could draw on international best practice, including the IT 50 plus initiative in Denmark and the Nokia Bridge Programme in Finland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53954/13]

Jobseeker register data is mined at present in order to identify and inform suitable candidates of a range of opportunities. The data is mined with reference to a jobseeker’s previous occupation, job preferences, education background, preferences for existing training programmes, and any interest expressed in training which is not currently available.

Recent examples of mining jobseeker data for ICT programmes include identifying candidates for a range of ICT programmes on offer through the ETBs (formerly FÁS) including Momentum ICT programmes, and for Springboard ICT programmes.

The question of specific provision of training and further education in the ICT area (whether as initial training or in the context of conversion courses) is a matter for the education and training authorities.