To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any (i) work undertaken; and (ii) progress made by her Department, since September 2025, towards the development of a skills support service in Northern Ireland, comparable to Skillnet Ireland.

I welcomed the constructive debate in the Assembly in September on addressing skills gaps between young people and businesses, including the proposal to explore a talentdevelopment agency model.

Since then, my officials have been exploring how best to strengthen employer‑led skills development in the North, including examining models such as Skillnet Ireland.

This issue also featured in my recent engagements with the NI Chamber, who have identified the establishment of a Workforce Development Agency as a key policy ask. I have asked my officials to engage directly with NI Chamber to scope this proposal in more detail and assess how such a model could support our wider skills strategy. Their insights will inform ongoing departmental consideration of how best to enhance the skills support landscape.

While any significant structural reform is likely to be a matter for a future Executive, preparatory work is underway to ensure a clear evidence base, clear options, and appropriate engagement mechanisms are in place to support informed decisionmaking in the next mandate.