National Training Fund.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 March 2009

Tuesday, 24 March 2009

Ceisteanna (96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105)

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

130 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on a matter in respect of a company (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [11015/09]

Finian McGrath

Ceist:

131 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views in respect of a matter (details supplied). [11078/09]

Michael Noonan

Ceist:

134 Deputy Michael Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will reconsider her policy of switching resources from the training of those in employment to fund training for the recently unemployed; if, in particular, she will reverse her decision to reduce the budget of a company (details supplied); if she will allow participation in the network training model to unemployed persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11135/09]

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

141 Deputy Brian O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proposals she has to address the concerns of Waterford Chamber of Commerce regarding the reductions in the budget of a company (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11289/09]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

143 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if it is her intention to cut funding to a company (details supplied) by a further 25% in 2009; the reason for this cutback; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11651/09]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

144 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason she will cut funding for a company (details supplied) rather than cutting funding to FÁS services to business, corporate affairs, headquarters and administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11652/09]

Leo Varadkar

Ceist:

145 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her views on proposals to allow companies (details supplied) and providers to offer training to people on the live register, both the unemployed and the under-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11653/09]

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

150 Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she has received representations objecting to the diversion of funding for training for those in employment in favour of those recently unemployed; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department’s reductions in the budget of a company (details supplied) is impacting negatively on the ability of training networks to provide the services which enterprises require at this critical stage; if, as an alternative to reduction in the company’s budget, she will give consideration to allowing some participation by unemployed persons in the network training model in order that the training required by enterprises will be provided, thereby enhancing employment prospects; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11764/09]

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

151 Deputy Pádraic McCormack asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the plans her Department has for providing necessary funding in enterprise particularly for the network training model (details supplied) in order to sustain employment and provide the relevant opportunities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11780/09]

Deirdre Clune

Ceist:

163 Deputy Deirdre Clune asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the level of funding she has provided for a company (details supplied) in 2007, 2008 and to date in 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12278/09]

Freagraí scríofa

Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Deputy Mary Coughlan)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130, 131, 134, 141, 143 to 145, inclusive, 150, 151 and 163 together.

The reply to Question No. 75, [10737/09] of 12 March 2009 refers. My Department is implementing a number of initiatives to increase training for the unemployed in the context of the deteriorating economic and budgetary position. The Department is also seeking to retain and enhance employability, particularly of those workers with low basic skills, and to maintain competitiveness. Public funding of all training networks and in-company training programmes managed by Skillnets Limited amounted to €24.5 million in 2007, €26.7 million in 2008 and €7.5 million to date in 2009.

I am aware that proposals have been made to my Department from Skillnets as to how the enterprise-led skillnets training network model might potentially be of assistance in the training and upskilling of the unemployed and of part-time workers.

All Departmental budgetary allocations are currently under review in the context of the forthcoming budget on 7 April 2009. Any reallocations that result will reflect the funding priorities that have been agreed by the Government.