Vol. 521 No. 1
115 Mr. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has satisfied herself that she has provided sufficient funds to accommodate training and retraining of the workforce to meet current and anticipated demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16742/00]
The training of the workforce is principally a matter for employers. State funds are provided with the aim of augmenting expenditure by employers and, thus, increasing national competitiveness by promoting upskilling and adaptability of the workforce. Funds are also provided to upskill people outside employment and thus ensure the availability of skilled labour required to underpin the continued growth of the economy. These resources for training and retraining are allocated within the framework of overall public expenditure priorities and in that context I am satisfied as to their adequacy.
As regards the future, I am currently reviewing the strategy for enterprise training within the overall context of lifelong learning. In addition, it is intended to introduce implementing legislation for the new national training fund within the coming months. These developments will inform future decisions on the resourcing of enterprise training.
