Arthur Morgan (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 215: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the training which was funded by way of the National Training Fund in 2007 and to date in 2008. [30362/08]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Training Fund supports a range of training schemes administered by organisations such as FÁS, Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, SFADCo and Skillnets.

FÁS delivers training programmes to assist the long-term unemployed, early school leavers, people with disabilities and the socially excluded gain access to the Labour Market. FÁS also delivers apprenticeship training and training for those in employment through its "One Step Up" programme.

Skillnets is an enterprise-led support body dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of learning as a key element in sustaining Ireland's national competitiveness. Skillnets supports networks of enterprises to engage in training under the Learning Networks Programme. These Learning Networks are led and managed by the enterprises themselves and have created and delivered training programmes across a broad range of industry and service sectors nationwide.

NTF funding for Enterprise Ireland helps to fund a broad spectrum of training initiatives for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Programmes supported under this initiative include both in-company training as well as a broad range of tailored industry sector programmes. Training Grants provided by the IDA are focused on assisting training programmes that will constitute a significant upgrading of the skills base of existing client companies and which will make a substantial contribution to the Irish companies long term competitiveness.

The table below sets out the funding received in respect of training from the National Training Fund in 2007 and to date in 2008.