Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 October 2022
134. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that the €21 million allocated under non-core additional Brexit Adjustment Reserve allocation will be spent; if the €21 million is a first or full-year costing; the value in full-year costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe €21 million allocation for my Department for 2023 under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve allocation is a full year cost and is split as across a number of initiatives as follows:
- €11m for Skillnet Ireland to support SMEs through its Skillnet Business Networks to help SMEs plan for success in key areas focused on supporting business recovery and growth post-Brexit. The funding will support 7,400 training places across several priority areas;
- €1.5m for Skillnet Ireland to provide 1,000 training places to support the digital transformation and sustainability journey of larger Irish companies and protect employment levels within firms willing to support capacity-building of SMEs within their supply chain and those impacted by Brexit;
- €3m for Skillnet Ireland's Skills Connect employment activation programme, to provide 3,000 reskilling opportunities for the unemployed, returners and other impacted groups for industries facing labour shortages;
- €3.5m to increase the number of Irish Erasmus mobilities and
- €2.1m to fund mobilities for Northern Irish students.
