Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 23: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if he or his Department has had discussions with the Department of Education and Science to ensure that there are sufficient FETAC accredited courses and training institutions available to employees of small to medium sized enterprises in order to access vital upskilling courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4202/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is regularly in contact with the Department of Education and Science, the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland and FETAC in relation to accreditation issues. I understand that at present in excess of 600 training providers have agreed their quality assurance arrangements with FETAC and can offer programmes leading to FETAC awards at Levels 1 to 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications.

FETAC also accredits an extensive range of awards designed to prepare learners for employment across a range of occupations in the business, catering, construction, IT, and childcare to name but a few. In addition to these awards, there are a number of general awards which are appropriate to business and enterprise development — for example Start Your Own Business, Enterprise Development, Business Administration and Management, Strategic Customer Relations Management, Business Appraisal, are all current awards which are validated by FETAC. The modular format of FETAC awards (a number of minor awards leading to a major award in a particular area) allows for flexibility for learners in achieving qualifications.

In addition FETAC are constantly developing new awards and since January of this year have established Standard Development Groups to develop these awards. These groups will be comprised of the relevant stakeholders across education, training, industry and professional bodies. In addition, any provider, in an education or training institution in the public or private sector, or in a workplace or community setting, may submit a new programme or award for validation. In this way FETAC is well placed to identify and respond to changing demands from industry. As this process is ongoing and is driven in part by the demands and needs of the relevant stakeholders including SMEs, it is clear that new programmes will be developed to meet the emerging needs of the stakeholders.