Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 77: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if she will ensure that adequate resources are provided for training persons in employment in addition to ensuring that those recently unemployed are given adequate resources to upskill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12680/09]

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.

In order to meet the challenges of the changing economy there will 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.