Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is satisfied regarding the adequacy and the extent to which he can positively impact on the upskilling and retraining required in the current economic situation; if a full and comprehensive examination has been done in this area with particular reference to meeting the skill requirements of hi-tech, manufacturing and-or other industry and service; the extent to which he can put in place the necessary provisions to meet these requirements in the short and medium terms; when he can expect to see the results of any such provision to emerge by way of reduction in the numbers on the live register thereby directly and positively assisting in national economic recovery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10290/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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In 2012, the Government will fund over 450,000 education and training places across the range of provision in the higher education, further education and training sectors.

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs advises the Government on the current and future skills needs of the economy. This advice, together with information both local and national informs course planning and provision.

The establishment of SOLAS , the new Further Education and Training Authority, will ensure the provision of 21st century high-quality further education and training programmes.

My Department also has a number of measures under the recently announced "Action Plans for Jobs" initiative. In addition, the "Pathways to Work" initiative will set out the strategy to reform labour market activation policy. This new activation policy will make a very positive contribution to the training, upskilling and re-skilling of those on the Live Register and thereby enhance their employment opportunities.