Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the sums of money that have been deployed within his Department for the employment and human resources development operational programme as set out in the National Development Plan 2000-2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18209/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The NDP's Employment and Human Resources Development Operational Programme (EHRDOP) is a €15 billion plan that addresses Ireland's labour market and human capital development needs for the period 2000-2006. The budget comprises €892 million of assistance from the European Social Fund (ESF).

The EHRDOP comprises 52 measures which are implemented by a variety of Government departments and agencies. The programme is managed centrally by the EHRDOP Managing Authority which forms part of the ESF Policy and Operations Unit of my Department. Among the activities supported by the programme are:

∙The National Employment Service

∙Training for the unemployed and redundant workers and specific marginalised groups

∙Initiatives to combat early school leaving and Back to Education Initiatives for early school leavers and Travellers

∙The National Adult Literacy Strategy

∙Access to Third Level Education for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds,

∙Training for those in employment to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Irish companies

To the end of 2005, according to the latest figures available, the programme has accounted for expenditure of almost €12 billion and remains on target for reaching its financial targets by the end of the programming period.

Within the remit of my Department, programme-related expenditure occurs through FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, the Employment and Training Strategy Unit of the Department and, of course, the ESF Policy and Operations Unit. The total sum expended by these agencies in particular is just over €4.98 billion.