Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)

We are debating something important here - the National Training Fund - but it is effectively a tax on employers. They have been quite happy to contribute to that fund over the years because ultimately they get the benefit of it from the upskilling of their current and potential future workers. While I have concerns with the proposed amendments, the spirit of what they are proposing is a concern I share as well. When the allocations for the NTF are being calculated and issued, how will the Minister ensure that they will benefit the skills sector and that the Department will not be tempted to use these moneys for other things that may not have been the intent of the original fund, potentially losing the goodwill of employers out there who need their workers to be upskilled?

I am told constantly that we need new skills. AI is coming out there. It is something that is impacting our business. We need to upskill our workers. Skillnet and numerous other providers that are capable of doing this will be looking for funds to enable employers and support them through this. How will the Minister ensure the funds from the NTF are used for the purpose for which they were originally intended if we pass this amendment?

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