Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the proportion of the €2.8 billion allocated to skills development under the National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 that will be invested in training for people affected by industrial restructuring; and if he will outline a timeframe for the allocation of this funding. [8557/07]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The National Development Plan 2007 to 2013 contains a Human Capital Priority Chapter which sets out the broad priorities for investment in the development of Ireland's human resource capability over the period of the Plan.

Over €25 billion has been allocated to investment in the Human Capital Priority, of which over €7.7 billion will be invested in the Training and Skills Development Programme through the Upskilling the Workforce sub-Programme, and the Activation and Participation of Groups outside the Workforce sub-Programme.

I can assure the Deputy that FAS and the State development agencies currently engage proactively with workers facing industrial restructuring. In the event of any major closure, FÁS endeavours to engage immediately with the affected staff and makes the full range of its services available to equip redundant workers for new employment opportunities. Both IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland are constantly seeking new and expanded investment and employment opportunities and the City and County Enterprise Boards also have an important role to play in this regard.

I am confident that the strategies and policies being pursued by these agencies together with the Government's ongoing commitment to regional development, will continue to bring investment and job creation to those affected by industrial restructuring.

In this context, financial allocations for training people facing industrial restructuring are not specifically ring-fenced in the National Development Plan as such training and support will be provided as the need arises. I would also mention that the FAS One Step Up and Skillnets Programmes are placing a greater focus on the low skilled and this will also include many workers facing industrial restructuring.