asked the Minister for Labour his views on whether one of the reasons for insufficient investment in training by employers in Ireland is the fear that staff, once trained, will be poached by other employers overseas; and if he favours a system of transfer fees or refund of training costs for employees leaving firms within an agreed period after completion of training, as a remedy and an encouragement to Irish employers to invest more in staff training.
Written Answers. - Employment Incentives.
94.
I am not aware of any research carried out on the incidence of poaching from overseas companies. Within Ireland, the levy grant system operated by AnCO was designed to encourage employers to provide appropriate staff training. The levy is collected from all employers above a certain size in designated industries.
Government policy aims at industry bearing a greater proportion of its own training costs and I have taken a number of steps to help achieve this objective. As part of my Department's increased policy role, it will monitor the situation of training within industry both in Ireland and from abroad and will make any necessary recommendations to me.
The question of refund of training cost, in particular, is best dealt with by employers.