Jim Mitchell
Question:3 Mr. J. Mitchell asked the Minister for Labour if he will make a statement on the shortcomings in Irish management training; and if he will outline his plans to eliminate these shortcomings.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Management Training.
During the eighties it became apparent that improvements in Irish management could make a contribution to economic and employment growth. Against this background, I appointed in July 1987, an Advisory Committee on Management Training. The major finding of the committee, which reported in January 1989, was that the level of commitment to management development by Irish firms was low, given the economic challenges that face the country.
I am glad to say that there are indications that the level of management development carried out by Irish firms has increased in recent times. I would also like to say that the European Commission have agreed in principle to making a sizeable financial contribution to a programme aimed at showing the importance of management development to managers of small and medium sized enterprises. The programme will be overseen by the IMI and will be called "The Year of the Manager". In addition to funding from the Commission, the programme will be funded by contributions from the IMI, my Department and the participant's fees.
The report of the advisory committee also noted that the primary responsibility for management development lies with the chief executives of public and private organisations. The committee recommended that State intervention in the form of funding should be switched from providers to users and should be targeted at small businesses. This is being done. State development agencies are also encouraging management development in their respective sectors.