John Halligan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge what the Deputy said. Some 70 million Europeans lack sufficient reading, writing and numeracy skills. Some 40% of the EU population lack sufficient digital skills, putting them at high risk of unemployment, poverty and social exclusion. On the other hand, 40% of European employers report that they cannot find people with the right skills to grow and innovate. At the same time, a large number of employees, particularly highly qualified young people, are working in jobs that do not match their talents and aspirations.

To answer the Deputy’s question, over the coming months the Commission will be making a proposal to reduce the high number of low-skilled adults throughout Europe. The initial proposal was made only on 10 June so there will be further communications with the European Union regarding funding.

The Commission is proposing that a skills guarantee be established in co-operation with social partners and education and training providers. This is exactly what will be done in Ireland over the next couple of months. The plan is to meet as many people as possible connected to education and further education, in addition to people who have taken themselves out of education and low-skilled employees who want to upskill. There is a plan, involving nine regional managers, that will be put in place shortly to deal with upskilling. Right now, the funding amounts to €542 million but we are in constant contact with the European Commission and other states to ascertain what funding will be needed to deal with the problems Ireland faces owing to low numeracy and literacy levels and underskilling.

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