Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless TD has welcomed the National Skills Council’s 2026 Statement of Advice, setting out practical steps to reinforce Ireland’s skills system and progress key Government priorities.

The document, 'From Evidence to Action: An Integrated Skills Infrastructure for an Inclusive Ireland', outlines measures to build a more responsive and inclusive system. It mirrors the minister’s emphasis on closer employer engagement, AI readiness, lifelong learning, stronger skills intelligence and broadening access to opportunities across the country.

Welcoming the roadmap, Minister Lawless said: "I warmly welcome the National Skills Council's 2026 Statement of Advice, which aligns strongly with my priorities as Minister to build a more responsive, inclusive and future-focused skills system for Ireland.

"Ensuring that people have the skills they need to succeed, that employers can access the talent they require, and that communities across the country can benefit from economic opportunity is central to our ambitions. The Council's advice provides a clear, evidence-based roadmap to help us achieve those goals.

"Over the past year, the Council's recommendations have helped inform and strengthen key areas of my Department's work. We have deepened engagement with employers through the National Skills Roundtables, expanded Ireland's AI readiness through AIReady.ie and progressed the phased development of the National Skills Observatory. Together, these initiatives are helping to build a stronger skills infrastructure that can identify emerging needs, respond effectively to labour market change and support sustainable economic growth.

-- Advertisement --

"I particularly welcome the Council's focus on lifelong learning, foundational skills, support for SMEs and community organisations, harnessing the opportunities of artificial intelligence, and strengthening the use of skills intelligence. These priorities closely reflect the work already underway across Government and provide a strong foundation for the next phase of delivery.

"This year's advice is especially valuable because it focuses on turning evidence into action. It sets out practical recommendations that will help ensure Ireland has the talent, capability and resilience needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

"I look forward to working with colleagues across Government, the education and training sector, employers and other stakeholders to translate these recommendations into meaningful outcomes that benefit individuals, businesses and communities across Ireland."

Chairperson of the National Skills Council, Dr Kevin Marshall, said: "Ireland's continued success will depend on our ability to anticipate change and respond to evolving skills needs. This year, the Council examined major trends shaping Ireland's labour market, including technological change, demographic shifts, the green transition, the capacity of SMEs and community organisations to invest in skills, and gaps in foundational skills.

"Our advice provides valuable guidance on the steps needed to strengthen Ireland's skills infrastructure and enhance our capacity to respond to future workforce needs. We have included a number of important recommendations around investing in upskilling and foundational skills, supporting SMEs and community organisations, harnessing the opportunities presented by AI in further and higher education, making better use of skills intelligence and establishing National Skills Academies. Taken together, these measures will help ensure Ireland has the skills infrastructure needed to support a competitive, innovative and inclusive economy."

Guided by the Council’s principles, the 2026 advice proposes actions to reinforce Ireland’s skills infrastructure and improve the State’s ability to meet future workforce demands. Key recommendations include:

- Greater investment in upskilling and reskilling

- Stronger provision of foundational skills

- Targeted upskilling support for SMEs and the Community and Voluntary Sector

- Reforms across further and higher education to address the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence

- Better use of skills intelligence to underpin evidence-informed policymaking

- The creation of National Skills Academies.