Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 352: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the share of FÁS budget directed at training those in employment in view of his stated priority of upskilling the workforce; the way this share changed in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25340/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government is committed to upskilling the Irish labour force and has substantially increased State investment in training those in employment in recent years. The attached table details the relevant FÁS expenditure on training those in employment as a share of FÁS total direct costs.

FÁS two main programmes under the in-company heading are both the apprenticeship programme and the Competency Development Programme, which is managed by FÁS Service to Business Division.

It is evident from the above figures that since 2005 the State has substantially increased the investment in training those in employment and in apprenticeship in accordance with the Government's stated priority towards upskilling the workforce. The Government will continue to do so in line with its commitment to achieving the vision contained in the National Skills Strategy and to maximising the potential of the Irish workforce.