Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment her policy in relation to the funding of training for people in employment; if there has been a diversion of funding from this sector to providing training for those who are unemployed; if so, her views on the way this is impacting on business competitiveness here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11659/09]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The State makes a significant investment in training measures for both employed and unemployed. The amount of funding invested in those in employment has increased significantly over recent years and has been used to facilitate a broad range of upskilling programmes, ranging from basic literacy and numeracy to specific skills or support to build the management capabilities and skills within companies to help them achieve their business goals. Such upskilling for those in employment is provided through the various agencies of my Department together with Skillsnet Ltd.

Currently the Government is examining how to optimise the provision of education and training for those in employment and those seeking employment against the background of the current economic situation and the forthcoming supplementary budget. As companies search for greater productivity and competitiveness in order to retain existing business in the current international marketplace, investing in skills continues to be important, both for survival and growth. Such investment will also help to retain and enhance employability, particularly of those workers with low basic skills. Within the limits of current budgetary constraints we will continue to concentrate on developing those management skills that will lead to real and immediate business impact in terms of strategy; leadership; international marketing and selling; innovation management; and taking a leadership role in developing the national management stock.

In order to meet the challenges of the changing economy there will also be a policy emphasis on activation and training for the unemployed. This includes a focus on those most recently unemployed, where additional opportunities for training and re-skilling are being provided. In the current economic climate it is important to ensure that such people can avail of relatively immediate upskilling to best position themselves to re-enter employment with improved skills, which will also help increase our competitiveness.

As regards competitiveness more generally, our immediate policy objectives are to restore confidence and stability in our economy, provide supports to the enterprise sector, restore cost competitiveness, safeguard the significant achievements of recent years and to ensure a return to sustainable export growth. I believe that we have to take concrete steps to show solidarity with enterprise and in particular the exporting sector. Restoring cost competitiveness is a particular focus of action. Cost competitiveness remains critical to ensuring that companies based in Ireland have the ability to compete successfully in international markets.

The Government introduced the Framework for Sustainable Economic Renewal, called "Building Ireland's Smart Economy", in December 2008 which sets out a clear roadmap for Ireland's move back to economic growth and prosperity. The Cabinet Committee for Economic Renewal is driving this strategy and we will continue to pursue policies that will build on our strengths, address our weaknesses and maximise economic activity and employment.