Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on proposals from the Irish Congress of Trade Unions regarding the introduction of paid learning to enable workers to upskill. [4119/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is committed to the promotion of lifelong learning. In today's rapidly changing world, we all must be prepared to adapt our skills. As the majority of the 2020 workforce are already working today, the training of those in employment is particularly important.

The primary responsibility for training rests with employers and individuals. However, the State funds training for particular groups where necessary, especially for the low skilled and the vulnerable. Increased funds have been provided in recent years to a number of programmes to support the one step up initiative through the training of those in employment. These programmes include the FÁS in-employment training initiatives, the skillnets training networks and accel programmes and the Enterprise Ireland in-company training programme.

Any discussion of paid learning leave must acknowledge the State's role in the training of those in employment. I am aware that ICTU, in a report published last June, proposed the introduction of paid learning leave. As that document implicitly acknowledged, progress on this issue will require consensus between Government, employers and trade unions.