To ask the Minister for the Economy whether he is aware of any issues in the recruitment of further education college lecturers, particularly in courses related to skills shortages.

I am aware of issues in lecturer recruitment and following engagement by my officials with the Further Education Colleges, the Colleges have confirmed difficulties recruiting lecturers in Engineering, Electrical Installation and Computing.

Whilst colleges continue to actively advertise, my Department is also working with the colleges on flexing lecturer qualification criteria, where appropriate to alleviate recruitment challenges.