Further and Higher Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Questions (729)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

729. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of rolling out a one-year blue cert certification process to professionalise the small and medium enterprise sector pilot project between organisations (details supplied). [32579/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department, working through Skillnet Ireland, is committed to supporting workforce and talent development of Irish SMEs and each year Skillnet Ireland supports over 23,000 SMEs across the country.

Skillnet Ireland, in partnership with ISME, currently supports the delivery of Management Development programmes designed specifically for SMEs through the ‘ISME Skillnet’ which in 2022 supported over 400 businesses and 800 owner managers and employees.

Skillnet Ireland and ISME are currently in dialogue regarding the future provision of management development programmes through the ‘ISME Skillnet’ however this engagement is in the early stages and I understand that there no final costings available at this stage.