Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 June 2018
304. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the €3.5 million allocated to Skillnet as outlined in budget 2018; the amount of the allocation that has been spent; the way in which the funds were spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSkillnet Ireland is funded by my Department through the National Training Fund (NTF) to act as an enterprise-led support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of enterprise training and workforce development as key elements in sustaining national competitiveness. Its primary role is to increase participation in enterprise training by companies to upskill the workforce and provide greater access for workers to skills development.
Skillnet Ireland operates a joint funding model where training is funded by combining contributions from employers with Skillnet grants.
Skillnet Ireland has been allocated €21.7m in 2018, an additional €3.5 Million in NTF funding over 2017. This increase was allocated in response to a sharp increase in demand from employers for training via Skillnet Ireland.
Skillnet Ireland has undertaken to train 54,600 learners nationally in 2018, an increase of 11,600 (27%) when compared with the organisation's trainee target for 2017. Skillnet Ireland will deliver 344,745 training days in 2018, an increase of 46,745 days when compared with the 2017 target. In 2018, Skillnet Ireland has also established 5 new learning networks in sectors which are experiencing significant workforce development demand, including hospitality, recruitment, advanced electronics and manufacturing. Skillnet Ireland now funds 67 networks.
The additional funding has also facilitated an increase in Skillnet Ireland's investment in its Future Skills Programme, whereby its learning networks develop new programmes that address emerging skills needs in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing and global business services, MedTech, agriculture and retail amongst others.
By the end of May 2018, Skillnet Ireland has received €10m of their 2018 allocation.
