David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

It was put to us at one stage that since a certain amount of training is involved when a young person joins a company or becomes employed, that person will not be as productive as somebody who is fully trained or who has more experience and therefore should not be paid the same wage. We were asked whether, if such young people are being trained, we should consider using the National Training Fund to supplement their wages in the event of the changes proposed in the Bill coming about. Employers are saying they are paying into the fund and it is sitting there. It is about €2 billion at this stage. Could consideration be given to using the National Training Fund, which is being imposed on employers for training purposes? Insofar as I know, it is not being used at all. Maybe our guests can tell me whether it is being used somewhere. Is the funding being drawn down by anybody? Could it be considered?