Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 97: To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expected number of places likely to be made available for retraining or upskilling in the course of the current year with particular reference to the need to meet the skill set requirements in the modern work place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10521/12]

Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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In 2011, the further education and training sectors provided almost 300,000 places. In addition, enrolments in the third level sector reached 161,000 and 5,900 places were offered through the Springboard initiative. At a time of reducing resources the Department of Education and Skills will still maintain this general level of provision in 2012. The 2012 education and training provision will be targeted towards more effective programmes that reflect industry and employer needs and client preferences. The identification of skills needs that is reflected in education and training programmes comes from a number of sources including the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, direct contact with employers and national and international research on future skills needs.