Conor Lenihan
Ceist:127 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the measures, if any, she will take to encourage higher levels of investment in training by Irish private sector firms. [9843/99]
Written Answers. - Investment in Training.
Through my Department's agencies, I already have a number of measures in place to encourage Irish firms to invest in training.
FÁS operates the training support scheme, which contributes to the cost of investment made by firms in training their workers. With the establishment of Enterprise Ireland, a proportion of the scheme's budget will transfer to the new agency this year.
FÁS's Excellence Through People award provides recognition to companies who demonstrate that they have invested in a systematic way in training and developing their employees.
Enterprise Ireland has an important role to play in raising the awareness of employers in indigenous companies to the importance of training and development. Through its client-centred approach to company development, Enterprise Ireland will work with employers to develop key business functions such as training, and thus enhance their competitive advantage.
I will shortly be formally launching a new business-led training networks programme, which is aimed at adding impetus to Irish business drive to identifying and addressing its training needs. The networks programme, which will operate on a three-year pilot basis from 1999, will focus on mobilising groups of companies to develop strategies which address their common training needs. The programme is based on the recognition that the private sector has primary responsibility for defining its own human resources development requirements. It is being driven by a board which is representative of business, trade unions and State bodies.
A provision of £3 million has been made in my Department's revised Estimate for 1999 towards the cost of the programme. A sum of £2.3 million is also being provided this year from the European Social Fund. The objective is that the pilot programme will demonstrate the benefits of training to firms and that it will lead to an increased commitment on the part of Irish companies to investment in training and development.
Initiatives such as those mentioned above are vital if we are to develop, within our enterprises, a culture of learning which is essential to ensure that Ireland's competitive edge is maintained into the next millennium.