Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The National Training Fund is a dedicated fund to upskill people in employment and provide training and reskilling opportunities for those who are unemployed. It also funds research on existing and likely future skills requirements of the economy. In 2023, more than €9 million is being invested from the fund in these schemes for these purposes. More than €3 million is allocated to the expert group on future skills needs and the labour market research unit in SOLAS and for the operation of the nine regional skills forums.

The funding supports significant research and data-gathering on future skills and workforce requirements. This analysis is of considerable value to educators, guidance professionals, researchers, industry and learners throughout the third level education system to ensure a better alignment of teaching, learning and research with workforce developments and potential career paths as well as identifying funding and research priorities.

As the Deputy will be aware, I recently launched the OECD's skills strategy review, which outlined a number of recommendations to improve career information and guidance for individuals on learning and career pathways. Progress in this area will be a priority for the implementation of the OECD review.

Turning to the NTF and how we can utilise this huge resource for our country in the context of the upskilling and reskilling agenda, my Department and the Departments of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform are actively engaging on this with a view to having proposals in advance of the Estimates discussions.

See this speech in context