Anthony Lawlor (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, we had a debate on the Social Welfare (No. 2) Bill. Could the Leader ask the Minister for Education and Skills, who administers the training fund, if he would come to the House to discuss the national training fund? In 2019, there will be a surplus in the training fund of €300 million. Last year there was a surplus of €200 million. Through the introduction of an additional 0.1% levy there is potential for another surplus in 2020 of €400 million. We are cumulatively gathering up quite rapidly close to €1 billion of a surplus in the fund. Where will the money be spent? In the past, money from funds of this type has been misused. I would welcome and appreciate an indication from the Minister as to what will be done with the fund.