180. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the new Offshore Renewable Energy Career Chart will support delivery of the skills pipeline identified in the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan 2024, particularly in meeting Ireland’s offshore wind targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/26]

Ireland has set ambitious targets for offshore wind energy, and achieving these ambitions will require a significant expansion of the skilled workforce needed to deliver them.

Implementation of the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan has been a central focus for my Department, underpinned by strong partnership working across government, industry, state agencies, and the education and training system. Progression of the Action Plan is overseen by the Expert Advisory Group, which meets regularly with implementation embedded in its agenda. This ensures strategic alignment of the skills pipeline and coordinated delivery through three EAG subgroups:

• Manufacturing & Supply Chain

• Promoting Careers in Offshore Wind

• Programme Design & Delivery

Throughout the year, each subgroup has advanced targeted initiatives and coordinated projects to support delivery of the skills pipeline critical to offshore renewable energy deployment.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Career Chart is an example of an awareness-raising initiatives developed as part of the intensified programme of work following publication of the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan.

The https://library.etbi.ie/skillsbox/ore is available online and will also be included in the FET Skills Box, a national initiative led by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), to help students, jobseekers, and career changers better understand the wide range of pathways available through Further Education and Training (FET) and beyond.

It will support awareness-raising among groups with limited prior exposure to the sector, highlighting learning and career pathways across offshore renewable energy and contributing to the early development of a skilled, future-ready workforce.