Harris to unveil financial education push

Fine Gael's Simon Harris. Photo: Tom Burke

Gavin McLoughlin

Junior Finance Minister Simon Harris is to announce details of a "major push" on financial education next week.

A Department of Finance insider said Harris will set out his 2016 strategy for Ireland's financial services sector, and that it will include measures aiming to increase skills and encourage investment in the sector outside of Dublin.

Over 38,000 people are employed in the financial sector here, with almost a third of those based outside the capital.

Harris will announce plans designed to ensure the skills requirements of the financial services sector are reflected in national policy development and the further and higher education systems.

There will also be measures on apprenticeships and the enlistment of Enterprise Ireland in developing a web portal to attract international talent.

The measures will be revealed at the European Financial Forum in Dublin next week. Other speakers include Morgan Stanley president Colm Kelleher, and Timothy O'Hara, chief executive of Credit Suisse's global markets division. Delegates from some of the world's largest financial institutions will attend and the IDA wants to use the event to attract more business here.