Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 3 Dec 2002

Vol. 558 No. 4

Written Answers. - FÁS Training Programmes.

David Stanton

Question:

153 Mr. Stanton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the incentives in place to encourage and support Irish small and medium enterprises to invest in e-learning; her plans for the future in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24645/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. Fahey)

There are a number of incentives which can be availed of by small and medium enterprises for investment in e-learning opportunities.

FÁS and Enterprise Ireland provide a range of training supports for client companies. E-learning can be included in the range of supports to these client companies as part of the their overall human resources development programme. The city and county enterprise boards provide support for a range of e-commerce activities to micro-enterprises, employing up to ten people, at local level. Such support includes providing advice and information on e-business strategies and arranging training in various computer skills to enhance e-business capability.

The recent call for proposals, issued by my Department, under the in-company training measure of the EHRDOP sought, inter alia, project proposals for the development of training systems via e-learning models and other flexible forms of the delivery of in-company training.

The 2002-2003 calls for proposals under the Leonardo Da Vinci II programme, the EU vocational training programme, prioritises the development of new approaches to develop basic skills including ICT supported learning. Provision has been under this programme, which is managed by Leargas, to include projects that address the training needs of SMEs as an area of national focus within this priority.

Question No. 154 answered with Question No. 147.