Mr. Paul Healy:

There are two means by which we evaluate the programmes that we deliver in terms of impact. The first is that each programme is subject to its own evaluation and then, on a biannual basis, we subject the full Skillnet Ireland programme to independent evaluation. I will ask my colleague, Mr. Flynn, to comment on this as well. One observation I would add is that the model that we have is driven very much from the requests and demands coming from firms. Through the evaluations that we have done over the years since our establishment, we are seeing a really strong correlation between the programmes that are delivered and what firms actually need and therefore the impact.

I would just add a second observation to that. It is a cost-sharing model. Last year we raised €26 million in the cost-sharing of programmes. The philosophy of cost sharing is very important to us because that ties into the impact. Typically, employers will not pay for something that is not moving the needle for them or where they are not seeing a tangible difference on the ground. We are always sensitive to the value for money of the programmes we invest in and the impact of those programmes, but, in particular, their relevance to industry. I might invite my colleague, Dave Flynn, who oversees our evaluations, to contribute to the response to the Deputy's question.