Figures from the Expert Group on Future Skills confirm that there is a large gap between the demand for graduates in the Information and Communications Technology sector and the supply of Irish-trained graduates.

High-level jobs in many firms are being filled by graduates from India, China, and European countries such a Poland and Spain.

CAO figures show that the number of students accepting third level places on computer courses has dropped from 4,097 in 2000 to 1,791 in 2007.

"This is happening at a time when the high-tech sector is increasing in importance and offering more employment opportunities," said Kathryn Raleigh, Director of ICT.

"Graduate salaries in the sector are very attractive. According to the HEA graduate survey, 16.5pc of graduates with engineering degrees now earn €33,000 or more.

"When compared to 3.6pc of law graduates and 5.8pc of commerce graduates in the same salary band, it is clear that graduates with an engineering degree can command higher starting salaries than most,'' she said.

A recent report by IDC, a world-renowned consultancy, predicted that IT employment is set to grow by 4.7pc up to 2011. (Source: Irish Independent)