David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the supports and services available to employers and employees who are seeking to upgrade their qualifications and skills with regard to the upskilling of the Irish workforce; when these supports and services were launched; the success of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38230/05]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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As part of the "One Step Up" initiative implementing a key element of the Government's response to the enterprise strategy group's recommendations, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is funding a wide range of supports and services to raise the skill levels of those in employment. Over the period 2005 to 2007 funding for these supports and services will total over €150 million.

FÁS is using part of this funding to provide and facilitate targeted training programmes and services to employers and employees. The budget for these programmes for 2004 was €8.8 million. For 2005, this will be €35.6 million. Twenty projects for the use of these funds have been approved.

The training falls into four broad categories — basic skills provision specifically targeted at low skilled employees, for example, literacy support, contract cleaning; occupationally specific upskilling for operative and technical staff in individual sectors, for example, engineering, motor, food; management training for managers; and entrepreneurial development.

Skillnets Services Limited is also receiving funds from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to manage a networking programme that involves approximately 100 companies. It addresses general training needs, as well of those of particular economic sectors. The public budget for this training in 2005 is €7.5 million and, when allied to matching funds provided by the employers, total funding available is significantly more. Next year's budget will increase to €8 million and to €10 million in the years up to 2010. Skillnets is also managing the ACCEL, accelerated in-company skills, initiative on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This has a public budget of €16 million over the next two years. Approximately 72 proposals for funding were received in response to a recent promotion, 25 of which are starting up now. The balance of those approved will commence in the spring.

Enterprise Ireland is also providing in-company training. Some 20 projects have been funded under its auspices since 2004. Approximately €6 million has been provided and the programme will run into 2007.

In addition to these initiatives, specific funding has been made available from the national training fund for dedicated training purposes. This includes support for the continuing professional development of engineers, for promotion and training in the ICT sector and for developing the range of skills required to work to greatest effect in the community and voluntary sector. There has never been such a concentration of public funds devoted to training and skills development for those in employment. The Government has been consistently generous in promoting the importance of continuing training to upskill those in employment.