Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The vast majority of small businesses in Ireland have websites but are not equipped to trade online, but this is something that can happen and that we should ensure happens. It is estimated that the market is worth approximately €21 million but that it is not being used. It is possible for companies to use it and they are capable of using it but we need to train people up to do it.

I had an interesting morning at the launch of Springboard this morning. This year's Springboard is an adventure and the Government has put a sizable amount of money into it. It has put €27 million this year alone into educating people who have the wrong skills to move them from one skill to another skill. The work being done is amazing. Some €27 million has been allocated for this year, which will bring the total to €100 million over five years.

I raise the matter because I believe it is worthy of having a discussion on it. It is not urgent at the moment, but I believe it would be worthwhile to discuss it next time we have the Minister for Education and Skills in the House because there is an opportunity to tie up these two things. The stories we heard this morning were of mainly American companies - but not only American companies, there were Irish companies as well - which want to employ more people but cannot unless they can get the skills. Springboard is creating those skills and giving an opportunity to these companies to expand and employ more people with technology that has not been used up to now. I believe this is worthy of discussion. The Minister of State, Deputy Damien English, and the Minister, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, were there today. They spoke well and explained exactly what they hoped to do. I believe the Government is doing the right thing and is behind them but we could do more to encourage it.