Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment his views on the recent OECD report that showed Ireland to be 17th of 22 European countries in terms of the number of hours devoted to job related education and training; and the measures he will take to ensure the retraining of half a million workers over the next 15 years as deemed necessary by the expert group on future skills needs report for the continued growth of the economy. [37977/06]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The information contained in this OECD report is based on 2003 data. The situation has changed significantly since then. However, I agree that the training of those in employment is crucial to competitiveness. The fact that the majority of the 2020 workforce are already working reinforces the need to upskill and progressively develop the competencies of those in employment.

A recent report of the National Competitiveness Council also indicates that, while Ireland is close to OECD averages in terms of labour market training, there is a need to focus more on the training needs of those in employment. Investing in lifelong learning for those in employment has to encompass the respective roles of employers, individuals and the State. The primary responsibility for training workers rests with employers and individuals themselves. However the State supports training for particular groups where necessary, especially for the low skilled and more disadvantaged in the labour market.

The importance of training the existing workforce will be reflected in a national skills strategy that is being prepared by my Department. The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs is finalising research to inform this work. The conclusions of that research will shortly be available.