In December 2016, the EU Council adopted the Upskilling Pathways: New Opportunities for Adults Recommendation which aims to help adults acquire literacy, numeracy and digital skills to develop a broader set of skills through progressing towards an upper secondary qualification or equivalent. The recommendation envisages that implementation will build on existing national arrangements and existing financial frameworks. There is no additional funding available beyond that already allocated in the current funding round.
My Department has been considering the recommendation and is planning for its implementation. Arrangements are being made to establish an inter-agency steering group to collaborate on the development of an implementation plan under the recommendation. A report on arrangements will be made to the European Commission this year.